Topeka, KS

Topeka is the capital city of Kansas, located in the Midwest region of the United States. Founded in 1854, the city has grown to a population of approximately 126,587 residents within a state of 2,937,880 people. As the seat of Kansas's state government, Topeka serves as the political and administrative center of the state.

The city is home to the Kansas State Capitol, a French Renaissance / Corinthian structure that has been a landmark since its completion in 1903. Designed by Edward Townsend Mix and John G. Haskell, the capitol building stands as a testament to the state's history and governance, attracting visitors from across the country and around the world.

Topeka has served as the capital of Kansas since 1861. Before Topeka, the state's capital was located in Lecompton, Shawnee Mission and Pawnee.

The Kansas State Capitol in Topeka took 37 years to build, from 1866 to 1903, and was modeled after the U.S. Capitol. The building is renowned for John Steuart Curry's controversial murals depicting abolitionist John Brown and the state's turbulent 'Bleeding Kansas' era. A major restoration completed in 2014 added a visitor center and restored the dome's copper sheathing.

Notable Features

• John Steuart Curry murals of 'Bleeding Kansas' and John Brown
• Copper-clad dome with interior observation gallery
• Took 37 years to construct (1866-1903)
• Murals and artwork depicting Kansas history
• Restored dome observation deck with 296-step climb
• Visitor center added during 2001-2014 renovation