The name "Topeka" is aKansa-Osage word that means "place where we dig potatoes",[11] or "a good place to dig potatoes".[citation needed] As a placename, Topeka was first recorded in 1826 as the Kansa name for what is now called theKansas River. Topeka's founders chose the name in 1855 because it "was novel, of Indian origin, andeuphonious of sound".[12][13] Mixed-heritageKansa Native AmericanJoseph James, called Jojim, is credited with suggesting Topeka's name.[14]
In the 1840s,wagon trains made their way west fromIndependence, Missouri, on a journey of 2,000 miles (3,000 km), following what came to be known as theOregon Trail. About 60 miles (97 km) west ofKansas City, Missouri, three half-Kansas Indian sisters married to theFrench-Canadian Pappan brothers established aferry service allowing travelers to cross the Kansas River at what is now Topeka.[15] During the 1840s and into the 1850s, travelers could reliably find a way across the river, but little else was in the area.
An 1869 bird's-eye illustration of Topeka
In the early 1850s, traffic along the Oregon Trail was supplemented by trade on a new military road stretching fromFort Leavenworth through Topeka to the newly establishedFort Riley. In 1854, after completion of the first cabin, nine men established the Topeka Town Association. The group includedCyrus K. Holliday, an "idea man", who became mayor of Topeka and founder of theAtchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. Soon,steamboats were regularly docking at the Topeka landing, depositingmeat,lumber, andflour and returning eastward withpotatoes,corn, andwheat. By the late 1860s, Topeka had become a commercial hub that offered manyVictorian era comforts.
Topeka was a bastion for thefree-state movement during the problems in Kansas Territory between abolitionist and proslavery settlers (the latter of whom controlled the legal government based out ofLecompton). After southern forces barricaded Topeka in 1856, Topeka's leaders took actions to defend the free-state town from invasion. A militia was organized and stone fortifications were built on Quincy Street. The fortifications seemed to consist of low-lying earthwork levies strengthened by the presence of at least one cannon. The militia manned the fortifications until at least September 1856, when the siege around the town was lifted.[16]
After a decade of abolitionist and pro-slavery conflict that gave the territory the nicknameBleeding Kansas, it was admitted to theUnion in 1861 as the 34th state. Topeka was chosen as the capital, withCharles Robinson as the first governor. In 1862, Cyrus K. Holliday donated a tract of land to the state for the construction of a state capitol. Construction of theKansas State Capitol began in 1866. About 37 years were needed to build the capitol, first the east wing, and then the west wing, and finally the central building, using Kansaslimestone. In fall 1864, a stockade fort, later namedFort Simple, was built in the intersection of 6th and Kansas Avenues to protect Topeka, should Confederate forces then in Missouri decide to attack the city. It was abandoned by April 1865 and demolished in April 1867.
Bird's-eye view in 1909
State officers first used the state capitol in 1869, moving fromConstitution Hall, what is now 427-429 S. Kansas Avenue. Besides being used as the Kansas statehouse from 1863 to 1869, Constitution Hall is the site where antislavery settlers convened in 1855 to write the first of four state constitutions, making it the "Free State Capitol". TheNational Park Service recognizes Constitution Hall in Topeka as headquarters in the operation of the Lane Trail to Freedom on theUnderground Railroad, the chief slave escape passage and free-trade road.
Although the drought of 1860 and the ensuing period of theCivil War slowed the growth of Topeka and the state, Topeka kept pace with the revival and period of growth Kansas enjoyed from the close of the war in 1865 until 1870. In the 1870s, many former slaves, known as Exodusters, settled on the east side of Lincoln Street between Munson and 12th Streets. The area was known as Tennessee Town because so many of them were from the Volunteer State. Charles Sheldon, pastor of the Central Congregational Church, organized the first African American kindergarten west of the Mississippi in 1893.[17]
Lincoln College, nowWashburn University, was established in 1865 in Topeka by a charter issued by the State of Kansas and the General Association of Congregational Ministers and Churches of Kansas. In 1869, the railway started moving westward from Topeka, where general offices and machine shops of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad system were established in 1878.
During the late 1880s, Topeka passed through a boom period that ended in disaster. Vastspeculation on town lots occurred. The 1889 bubble burst, and many investors were ruined. Topeka, however, doubled in population during the period, and was able to weather the depressions of the 1890s.
Early in the 20th century, another kind of boom, this time theautomobile industry, took off, and numerous pioneering companies appeared and disappeared. Topeka was not left out. TheSmith Automobile Company was founded there in 1902, lasting until 1912.
Home to the first African-American kindergarten west of the Mississippi River, Topeka was the home of Oliver Brown, the named plaintiff inBrown v. Board of Education, which was the case responsible for eliminating the standard of "separate but equal", and requiringracial integration in American public schools. In 1960, the Census Bureau reported Topeka's population as 91.8% White and 7.7% Black.[18]
At the time the suit was filed, only the elementary schools were segregated in Topeka, andTopeka High School had been fully integrated since its inception in 1871. Furthermore, Topeka High School was the only public high school in the city of Topeka. Other rural high schools existed, such as Washburn Rural High School—created in 1918—and Seaman High School—created in 1920. Highland Park High School became part of the Topeka school system in 1959 along with the opening of Topeka West High School in 1961. A Catholic high school —Assumption High School, later renamed Capitol Catholic High School, then in 1939 again renamed, toHayden High School after its founder, Father Francis Hayden — also served the city beginning in 1911.[19]
Monroe Elementary, a segregated school that figured in the historicBrown v. Board of Education decision, through the efforts of the Brown Foundation working with the Kansas Congressional delegation place in the early 1990s, is now Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site. The Brown Foundation is largely responsible for the content of the interpretive exhibits at the historic site. TheNational Historic Site was opened by PresidentGeorge W. Bush on May 17, 2004.
Topeka has struggled with the burden of racial discrimination even afterBrown. New lawsuits attempted unsuccessfully to force suburban school districts that ring the city to participate in racial integration with the inner-city district. In the late 1980s, a group of citizens calling themselves the Task Force to Overcome Racism in Topeka formed to address the problem in a more organized way.
On June 8, 1966, Topekawas struck by a tornado rated F5 on theFujita scale. It started on the southwest side of town, moving northeast, passing over a local landmark named Burnett's Mound. According to a local Indian legend, this mound was thought to protect the city from tornadoes if left undisturbed. A few years prior to the tornado strike, development began near the mound, including a water tank constructed near the top of the mound against the warnings of local Native Americans. The tornado went on to rip through the city, hitting the downtown area and Washburn University. Total repair cost was put at $100 million, making it, at the time, one of the most costly tornadoes in American history. Even to this day, with inflation factored in, the Topeka tornado stands as one of the most costly on record. It also helped bring to prominence future CBS and A&E broadcasterBill Kurtis, who became well known for his televised admonition to "...take cover, for God's sake, take cover!" onWIBW-TV during the tornado. (The city is home of aNational Weather Service Forecast Office that serves 23 counties in north-central, northeast, and east-central Kansas).[20]
Topeka in 1980
Topeka recovered from the 1966 tornado and has sustained steady economic growth. Washburn University, which lost several historic buildings, received financial support from the community and alumni to rebuild many school facilities. Today, university facilities offer more than one million square feet of modern academic and support space.
In 1974,Forbes Air Force Base closed and more than 10,000 people left Topeka, influencing the city's growth patterns for years to come. During the 1980s, Topeka citizens voted to build a new airport and convention center and to change the form of city government.West Ridge Mall opened in 1988, replacing theWhite Lakes Mall, which opened in 1964.
Downtown Topeka skyline at night, seen from theKansas River (2005)
In 1989, Topeka became a motorsports mecca with the opening ofHeartland Park Topeka. The Topeka Performing Arts Center opened in 1991. In the early 1990s, the city experienced business growth with Reser's Fine Foods locating in Topeka and expansions for Santa Fe and Hill's Pet Nutrition.
During the 1990s, voters approved bond issues for public school improvements, including magnet schools, technology, air conditioning, classrooms, and a sports complex. Voters also approved a quarter-cent sales tax for a new law-enforcement center, and in 1996, approved an extension of the sales tax for the East Topeka Interchange connecting the Oakland Expressway, K-4, I-70, and the Kansas Turnpike. During the 1990s, Shawnee County voters approved tax measures to expand the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. The Kansas Legislature and governor also approved legislation to replace the majority of the property tax supporting Washburn University with a countywide sales tax.
In 2000, the citizens again voted to extend the quarter-cent sales tax, this time for the economic development of Topeka and Shawnee County. In August, 2004, Shawnee County citizens voted to repeal the 2000 quarter-cent sales tax and replace it with a 12-year, half-cent sales tax designated for economic development, roads, and bridges. Each year, the sales tax provides $5 million designated for business development and job creation incentives, and $9 million for roads and bridges. Planning is under way to continue to redevelop areas along the Kansas River, which runs west to east through Topeka. In the Kansas River Corridor through the center of town, downtown Topeka has experienced apartment and condominium loft development, and façade and streetscape improvements.
On March 1, 2010, Topeka MayorBill Bunten issued a proclamation calling for Topeka to be known for the month of March as "Google, Kansas, the capital city offiber optics".[21] The name change came from Ryan Gigous, who wanted to "re-brand" the city with a simple gesture.[22] This was to help "support continuing efforts to bringGoogle's fiber experiment" to Topeka, though it was not a legal name change. Lawyers advised the city council and mayor against an official name change.[23]Google jokingly announced it wouldchange its name to Topeka to "honor that moving gesture" on April 1, 2010 (April Fools' Day) and changed its home page to say Topeka.[24] In its official blog, Google announced this change thus affected all of its services as well as its culture, e.g. "Googlers" to "Topekans", "Project Virgle" to "Project Vireka", and proper usage of "Topeka" as an adjective and not a verb, to avoid the trademark becominggenericized.[25]
Topeka has ahumid continental climate (Köppen climate classificationDfa,Trewartha climate classificationDcao) or ahumid subtropical climate (KöppenCfa) using the −3 °C (27 °F) isotherm, with hot, somewhat humid summers and cool to cold, fairly dry winters, and is inUSDA plant hardiness zone 6a.[27] Over the course of a year, the monthly daily average temperature ranges from 30.2 °F (−1.0 °C) in January to 79.8 °F (26.6 °C) in July. The maximum temperature reaches 90 °F (32 °C) an average of 49.6 afternoons per year and reaches 100 °F (38 °C) an average of 6.0 afternoons per year. The minimum temperature falls below 0 °F (−18 °C) an average of 2.7 mornings per year, and 21.7 afternoons per year stay below freezing.[28] The average window for freezing temperatures is October 15 through April 17.[28]
The area receives about 36.53 inches (928 mm) of precipitation during a typical year, with the largest share being received in May and June—the April through June period averages 32.8 days of measurable precipitation. Generally, the spring and summer have the most rainfall, with autumn and winter being fairly dry. During a typical year, the total amount of precipitation may vary from 25 to 47 inches (640 to 1,190 mm). Much of the rainfall is delivered by thunderstorms. These can be severe, producing frequentlightning, largehail, and sometimes tornadoes. An average of 100 days of measurable precipitation occur per year. Winter snowfall is light, as is the case in most of the state, as a result of the dry, sunny weather patterns that dominate Kansas winters, which do not allow for sufficient moisture for significant snowfall. Winter snowfall averages 17.1 in (43 cm). Measurable (≥0.1 in or 0.25 cm) snowfall occurs an average of 12 days per year, with at least 1.0 in (2.5 cm) of snow being received on five of those days. Snow depth of at least an inch occurs an average of 17.7 days per year.[28]
Topeka, Kansas – racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
The2020 United States census[34] counted 126,587 people, 54,092 households, and 30,361 families in Topeka. The population density was 2,060.3 per square mile (795.4/km2). There were 60,489 housing units at an average density of 984.5 per square mile (380.1/km2).
The U.S. Census accounts for race by two methodologies. "Race alone" and "Race alone less Hispanics" where Hispanics are delineated separately as if a separate race.
Of the 54,092 households, 24.1% had children under the age of 18; 38.4% were married couples living together; 34.9% had a female householder with no husband present. 37.3% of households consisted of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 3.0.
22.7% of the population was under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 91.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 87.3 males.
The 2016-2020 5-yearAmerican Community Survey[36] estimates show that the median household income was $49,647 (with a margin of error of +/- $1,860) and the median family income $64,454 (+/- $1,541). Males had a median income of $36,601 (+/- $1,727) versus $29,303 (+/- $1,097) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $32,634 (+/- $944). Approximately, 9.5% of families and 13.9% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 16.7% of those under the age of 18 and 7.8% of those ages 65 or over.
As of thecensus[37] of 2010, the city had 127,473 people, 53,943 households, and 30,707 families.[38] Thepopulation density was 2,118.5 inhabitants per square mile (818.0/km2). The 59,582 housing units averaged 990.2/sq mi (382.3/km2). The city'sracial makeup was 76.2% White, 11.3% African American, 1.4% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 4.8% from other races, and 4.9% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 13.4% of the population.Non-Hispanic Whites were 69.7% of the population in 2010,[18] down from 86.3% in 1970.[18]
Of the 53,943 households, 29.5% had children under 18 living with them, 37.9% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.1% were not families. About 35.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.29, and the average family size was 2.99.
The city's age distribution was 24.4% under age 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24; 26.1% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% were 65 or older. The median age in the city was 36 years. The city's gender makeup was 47.8% male and 52.2% female.
As of the2000 census, 122,377 people, 52,190 households, and 30,687 families were residing in the city. The population density was 2,185.0 inhabitants per square mile (843.6/km2). There were 56,435 housing units at an average density of 1,007.6 per square mile (389.0/km2). The city'sracial makeup was 78.5%White, 11.7%African American, 1.31%Native American, 1.09%Asian, 4.10% from other races, and 3.26% fromtwo or more races. Hispanics orLatinos of any race were 8.9% of the population.
Of the 52,190households, 28.0% had children under 18 living with them, 41.8% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.2% were not families. About 35.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.27, and the average family size was 2.94.
About 24.3% of the city's population was under age 18, 9.9% was from age 18 to 24, 28.9% was from age 25 to 44, 21.9% was from age 45 to 64, and 15.1% was age 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.4 males.
As of 2000, the city'smedian household income was $35,928, and the median family income was $45,803. Males had a median income of $32,373 versus $25,633 for females. The city'sper capita income was $19,555. About 8.5% of families and 12.4% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 16.7% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.
Although Topeka experienced problems with crime in the 1990s, the city's crime rates have improved since. Overall, crime in Topeka was down nearly 18% in the first half of 2008, compared with the same period of 2007. Topeka police reported a 6.4% drop in crime from 2007 to 2008, including significant reductions in business robberies and aggravated assaults and batteries, as well as thefts.[39]
On October 11, 2011, the Topeka city council agreed to repeal the ordinance banningdomestic violence in an effort to force the Shawnee County District Attorney to prosecute the cases.[40] Shawnee County District AttorneyChad Taylor said the DA "would no longer prosecute misdemeanors committed in Topeka, including domestic battery, because his office could no longer do so after county commissioners cut his budget by 10%".[40] The next day, Taylor said his office would "commence the review and filing of misdemeanors decriminalized by the City of Topeka".[41] The same day, 17% of the employees in the district attorney's office were announced to be laid off.[42]
The First Presbyterian Church in Topeka is one of the few churches in the U.S. to have its sanctuary completely decorated withTiffany stained glass (another is St. Luke's United Methodist inDubuque, Iowa; another is the Emmanuel Episcopal Church inCumberland, Maryland).
The Roman Catholic population is large, and the city is home to nine Roman Catholic parishes, five of which feature elementary schools.Grace Cathedral of theEpiscopal Diocese of Kansas is a largeGothic Revival structure in the city.
Topeka also has a claim in the history of theBaháʼí Faith in Kansas. Not only does the city have the oldest continuous Baháʼí community in Kansas (beginning in 1906), but the community also has roots to the first Baháʼí community in Kansas, in Enterprise, in 1897. This was the second Baháʼí community in the Western Hemisphere.
Topeka is home of theWestboro Baptist Church, ahate group according to theSouthern Poverty Law Center.[43] Thehomophobic church has garnered worldwide media attention for picketing the funerals of U.S. servicemen and women for what church members claim as "necessary to combat the fight for equality for gays and lesbians". They have sometimes successfully brought lawsuits against the city of Topeka. Directly across the street from them is theEquality House, a pro-LGBT home where volunteers ofPlanting Peace can stay. It is painted in rainbow colors and serves as a home for social workers caring for the LGBT+ community.[44]
Being the state'scapital city, Topeka's largest employer is the State of Kansas—employing about 8,400 people,[45] or 69% of the city's government workers. Altogether, government workers make up one out of every five employed persons in the city.[46]
The educational, health, and social services industry makes up the largest proportion of the working population (22.4%[46]). The four school districts employ nearly 4,700 people, andWashburn University employs about 1,650.[45] Three of the largest employers are Stormont-Vail HealthCare (with about 3,100 employees), St. Francis Health Center (1,800), and Colmery-O'Neil Veterans Administration Hospital (900).[45]
The retail trade employs more than a tenth of the working population (11.5%[46]) withWal-Mart andDillons having the greater share. Nearly another tenth is employed in manufacturing (9.0%[46]). Top manufacturers includeGoodyear Tire and Rubber Company,Hill's Pet Nutrition,Frito-Lay, andJostens Printing and Publishing.Jostens announced plans in May 2012 to move production from its Topeka facility toClarksville, Tennessee, affecting about 372 employee positions. Southwest Publishing & Mailing Corporation, a smaller employer, has its headquarters in Topeka.
Other industries are finance, insurance, real estate, and rental and leasing (7.8%); professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management services (7.6%); arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services (7.2%); construction (6.0%); transportation and warehousing, and utilities (5.8%); and wholesale trade (3.2%).[46]Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is the largest insurance employer, with about 1,800 employees.[45]BNSF is the largest transportation employer, with about 1,100.[45]Evergy employs nearly 800.[45] About a tenth of the working population is employed in public administration (9.9%[46]).
The Topeka Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1945 and currently performs on the campus of Washburn University.
Topeka is home to broad areas of fine art, including in the Northern Topeka (NOTO) Arts & Entertainment District. Since 2007 the city has worked on the Great Mural Wall of Topeka, a community-driven initiative featuring murals telling the story of the city.[48]
Kansas State Capitol, with murals byJohn Steuart Curry, including the portrait of John Brown towering over "Bleeding Kansas" and the Kansas prairie, and topped with the sculpture of a native warrior named Ad Astra (from the state motto Ad Astra per Aspera, meaning "To the Stars Through Difficulty".)
Topeka Zoo, famous as the birthplace of the firstgolden eagle chick hatched in captivity and as the first zoo in the nation to have an indoor rain forest.
Topeka is home to a professional hockey team, theTopeka Scarecrows of theFederal Prospects Hockey League. They are the first professional hockey team to call Topeka home since the Tarantulas left the city in 2005. The Scarecrows are currently playing their inaugural 2025-2026 season at theStormont Vail Events Center in Topeka.[49]
The current mayor of Topeka isSpencer Duncan. The city manager is Robert Perez.[3] The city manager is responsible to the Topeka'sCity Council, which consists of the mayor and nine members elected from separate districts within the city. The city council members select the deputy mayor from among themselves. The deputy mayor chairs the Committee of the Whole and represents the City of Topeka at official functions whenever the mayor is unavailable. The city manager also guides the council through the meetings but cannot vote.[50]
Topeka is the home of a daily newspaper, theTopeka Capital-Journal; a bi-weekly newspaper,The Topeka Metro News;Topeka Metro Voice; andKaw Valley Senior Monthly. From 1911 to 1913, the city published theKansas Baptist Herald.[55]
Additionally, most of the Kansas City stations provide at least grade B coverage of Topeka.KANU-FM in Lawrence (in the Kansas City market) serves as Topeka's NPR member station.
I-70,I-470, andI-335 all go through the City of Topeka. I-335 is part of theKansas Turnpike where it passes through Topeka. Other major highways include:US-24,US-40,US-75, andK-4. Major roads within the city include NW/SW Topeka Blvd. SW Wanamaker Road. N/S Kansas Ave. SW/SE 29th St. SE/SW 21st St. SE California Ave. SW Gage Blvd. and SW Fairlawn Rd.
TheTopeka Metropolitan Transit Authority provides local transit service. The agency offers bus service from 6 am to 6:30 pm Monday through Friday, and 7 am to 5 pm on Saturday. It also provides demand response general public taxi service which operates evenings from 8 pm until 11:30 pm and on Sundays.
Topeka has two majorhospitals, Stormont-Vail and TheUniversity of Kansas Hospital - St. Francis Campus. Both are in central Topeka. Topeka is also home to the Colmery-O'NeilVA Medical Clinic and Topeka ER & Hospital.[63]
^Jones, Daniel (2003) [1917], Peter Roach; James Hartmann; Jane Setter (eds.),English Pronouncing Dictionary, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,ISBN3-12-539683-2
^Maj. Brian A. Riniker, "How United States Army Leaders at Fort Leavenworth Performed Peacekeeping Operations in Territorial Kansas" (MMAS thesis, U.S. Army Command and Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kans., 2007), pp. 74-5.
^"USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map". Agricultural Research Center, PRISM Climate Group Oregon State University.Archived from the original on February 27, 2014. RetrievedJuly 12, 2020.
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