Topeka, Kansas
- Kansas became a state January 29, 1861, the 34th state admitted to the Union.
- Topeka became state capital 1861
- Settled: 1854
- Name Origin: Native American word translated as “good place to dig potatoes,” proposed by city founders in 1855
Colonel Cyrus K Holliday wanted to build a railroad. In 1854 he picked out a spot and formed a town company. When Kansas became a state, his railroad town of Topeka became the capital. Col Holliday’s railroad was the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe; its offices and machine shops are still important to the city.
The French Renaissance State Capitol is designed to resemble the US Capitol. It is capped with a copper dome and cupola and is 304 feet tall. On the grounds is a statue of the Pioneer Woman by sculptor Merrell Gage.
Here are the Combat Air Museum, with military aircraft from 1917-1980; the Museum of History with displays relating to the plains; and the Library of Kansas, housing one of the largest newspaper collections in the nation. Potwin Place, begun in 1869, is a community of stately homes and circular parks with walking and driving tours.
Key Words: railroad, pioneer, plains, Holliday, Atchison, Santa Fe
Things To Love About Topeka
The tall grasses flowing in the prairie wind; the brick-paved streets in the historic Potwin Place neighborhood; Old Prairie Town; being able to sit in the governor’s chair and tour the governor’s mansion; the warmth of friends.
Blogs To Read About Topeka
If The Creek Don’t Rise https://capitalcitiesusa.org/?p=9552#more-9552
Brown v Board https://capitalcitiesusa.org/?p=9603
Digging Topeka https://capitalcitiesusa.org/?p=9637
My Favorite Things https://capitalcitiesusa.org/?p=9683
Red, White & Act https://capitalcitiesusa.org/?p=9704
Taking A Shine To It https://capitalcitiesusa.org/?p=9771
Capital City Basics
- Population: 127,473, 28th largest in population of the 50 capital cities
- Population density: 2,119 persons per square mile
- Land area of city: 60.17 square miles
- Elevation: 951 feet, 14th highest in elevation of the 50 capital cities
- Normal high/low temps: January 40/20, July 89/68. Annual rainfall: 36 inches
- Time Zone: Central
- Water near: Kansas River
- Mountains near: Flint Hills. Mount Sunflower on the western border of the state is the highest point in Kansas at 4,039 feet.
- Miles to three nearest State Capitals: Lincoln, NE 166; Jefferson City, MO 220; Des Moines, IA 257
- Miles to National Capitol in Washington, DC: 1,138
Population Statistics from US 2010 Census
- 127,473 Population
- 24.4% Under 18
- 14.3% Over 65
- 1.3% Asian
- 11.3% Black
- 13.4% Hispanic/Latino
- 1.4% Native Alaskan or American Indian
- 0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
- 69.7% White
Education Statistics from US 2010 Census
- 10.1% English Not Spoken at Home
- 88.4% High School Graduate
- 27.7% Bachelor’s Degree or Higher
Economic Statistics from US 2010 Census
- 18.9% Below Poverty Level
- $23,803 Per Capita Income
- $40,362 Median Household Income
- $95,600 Median Value of Home
- 58.5% Home Ownership
City: http://www.topeka.org/
Visitors: http://www.visittopeka.com/