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Topeka, Kansas

Topeka, Kansas

On December 5, 1854, nine men made the wintry trek from the tent city of Lawrence to a small log cabin on the banks of the Kansas River. Huddled in the cold before a smoky fire, this group of men founded a town which was to play a major role in the "Bleeding Kansas" territory and later become the new state's capital.

"Bleeding Kansas" in the 1850s has been called a prelude to the Civil War which would follow in the next decade. Topekans such as John Ritchie battled for the abolition of slavery as Kansas approached statehood. His home became a meeting place for the free-state faction and a station on the underground.

In 1862, there was not a mile of railroad on operation in the entire state of Kansas. By 1872, just ten years later, Kansas boasted more miles of track than any of the other 26 states, and Topeka was a major hub. The Union Pacific Railroad rolled into Topeka from Kansas City on January 1, 1866. In 1868, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railway was born. Among the notable people who passed through the station were Ulysses S. Grant, Gen. Philip Sheridan, Russian Grand Duke Alexis, and Kansas' favorite son, Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Carrie Nation called Topeka home for a time. She supported herself from sales of her newspaper, "The Smashers Mail " which she printed in Topeka.

The Episcopal Church established the College of the Sisters of Bethany in 1860, and Washburn University originally started in 1865 as a Congregational College.

When Karl Menninger received his medical degree, he came home to join his father and the Menninger Clinic was born. It is known as the world leader in mental health treatment and research.

From its beginning, Topeka has played a major role in government, transportation and health care. This strong tradition is still alive today. Topeka is a city with a colorful past which points to an even more exciting future.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Kansas Museum of History

"You're living history" when you visit the Kansas History Center. An 1880 Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway locomotive, full-sized Cheyenne tipi, Wichita grass lodge, covered wagon, and log house are just a few of the many features in the Main Gallery at the Museum of History.

Topeka, KS Museums

Lake Shawnee Recreational Area

Lake Shawnee is a man-made, 411-acre lake offering fishing, boating, sailing and swimming. Within the 1,600-acre park surrounding the lake are foot trails, fish hatcheries (for stocking the lake), a golf course, a marina, tennis courts, shelter houses, horseback trails, ball diamonds, and gardens.

Topeka, KS Recreation

Gage Park

Gage Park is one of the biggest attractions in Topeka. Within the park itself, the biggest attraction is the Topeka Zoo, which allows visitors to come face to face with gorillas in a special Gorilla Encounter exhibit. Other features at the zoo include a bush camp with a lion'

Topeka, KS Recreation

Brown vs. Topeka B.O.E. National Historic Sites

On October 26, 1992, Congress passed Public Law 102-525 establishing Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site to commemorate the landmark Supreme Court decision aimed at ending segregation in public schools. Monroe Elementary School (17th & Monroe), and Sumner Elementary School (330

Topeka, KS National Parks

Heartland Park Topeka

Heartland Park Topeka, one of the world's fastest tracks, is nationally known for record-breaking performances on its ultra-quick, quarter-mile dragstrip. The complex offers a 2.5 mile Grand Prix roadcourse, a 1.625 mile Club Course, a 1.75

Topeka, KS Car Races

Things to do near Topeka, KS

Landon Nature Trail

The Landon Nature Trail is a multi-mile rail trail which is open to the public for non-motorized uses. It begins in front of ...

Clinton Lake Hunting

The area on the north side of the reservoir near Clinton State Park is a high public use area. The area is used by bird watch...

Clinton Lake Fishing

Clinton is popular with anglers. A mixture of trees and brush, mudflats, sharp drop-offs, deep river channels, rocks, and pro...