Topeka History
Topeka, Big T-Town, home to many historical events.
Topeka’s history is one not to ignored
Topeka so rich in history and still making it today. We cannot believe the changes that this city has made. Most noteworthy, Brown vs the Board of Education. The June 8, 1966 tornado that ripped through the center of the city. The floods of 1903 and the big one of 1951. It had it’s vary own airplane manufacture (Lundgren) and automobile maker (The Great Smith). The original swimming pool at Gage Park was considered the largest pool, west of the Mississippi River (my uncle Robert Wikkerink was a lifeguard there in the 1950’s.) Forbes Air Force base was just a few miles south of the city. Throughout it’s history, it was home to various types of planes. One of my favorite subject was the beautiful Amusement park, Vinewood. It had the lagoon for rowing around, the
Olde Mill Auction
Center
Auctions on Saturday Night, 4:30pm.
715 NE Hwy 24 Topeka, Ks. 66608
Viewing
Monday – Friday 10am to 5pm
785-608-4795
See Susan Metzger, Wayne and the rest of the gang and enjoy the excitement of a action- packed auction.
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Once an icon of Topeka, now just a memory, “Topeka Blvd. Bridge”.
Topeka Blvd. Bridge being built. Photos were donated to Beachhouse Videos Collection by Susan Metzger of Hwy 24 Auction.
Building started in 1936 and finished in 1938, at the cost of 1.5 million dollars.
It was a grand old bridge, it was torn down in 2006.
Let’s all go to the Topeka’s Fair.
You can smell the corn dogs and the cotton candy at you pass by 17th & Topeka Blvd. in the early fall day.
Video made by Beachhouse Videos. Color slides were donated to Topeka Public Library in the Topeka Room.
So many years ago, I remember crossing over the Topeka Blvd. Bridge and seeing the Royal American Train below it on the first street tracks. The excitement ran rapid through my body, knowing that the coming weekend, I would be filled with wonder with all there were to enjoy. I remember stopping at the stand with a large barrel of Root Beer. That would be my first stop, next was a cotton candy vendor. Walking along the various rides and listening to the barkers, trying to take my money, to wind a 3 foot tall stuff animal (I did win one). Had to check out the Kansas Wildlife building to see some of the largest fish caught that year. I really like watching the two double Ferris wheels, tumbling over and over. Another one of my favorite ride to watch was the Wild Mouse (I think that’s what it was called. Then there was the airplane ride that I got sick on (never rode that one again).
It makes me sad when I pass by the Stormont Vail Event Center and think about all the great times I had at the fair. To think that the huge grandstand was no longer there. So many memories. I wish I could have taken my children to the FAIR!!!
Gage Park was a fun place to go to.
Video in Beachhouse Videos, Publisher’s collection.
Gage Park is one of America’s premier park/zoo. It has provided years of enjoyment for the young and old. So much to see and do, I probably will not do it justice. The video above was the original swimming pool. Now it’s a parking lot and the bathhouse is the Helen Hocker Playhouse. The Zoo is world famous for several first with animals. Currently, the amount of events sponsored by the zoo, events such as “Boo at the Zoo”, Christmas Lights displays, and other such activities’.
Then there is the large swimming pool, Rock Garden, the Rose Garden, Children’s playground and of course, the miniature train. Not just for humans but our furry canine friends at the Dog Park.
The Children Discovery Center provides so many activities for children throughout the year.
The photo above was taken from a postcard, delivered in 1908. It was the original Topeka Public Library. It sat on the Capital grounds and the state legislators said it belong to Topeka and couldn’t be on State poverty. So instead of using it for a tourist information building, offices for state use, they torn it down.
Our Beautiful Architect has flowed away with the wind.
Could you fly into a gas station and get some Aero-Max Gas?
On the southeast corner of 6th and Gage Blvd. into Topeka, you would find a gas station in the shape of an airplane. It was Skelly #2 gas station. One of the features of this fun loving station was the listing of miles from other towns and cities. Later after the station was closed, it became a chicken coop, somewhere north of Grantville. This was another way of luring people in with their unique station design.
Original photo in Publisher’s collection.
Topeka was a spot of many sports.
Let’s head over to Shawnee lake and watch the boat races. That guy that wipes out, I hope he’s alright!
Topeka, the capital city of Kansas.
Living in Topeka most of my life, with the exception of my Naval service, it’s interesting to me of the past life Topeka had. Being young and dumb, never realizing the treasures of people who lived in that period of time. Now, so many times that I regret never asking my grandparents or elderly people I knew, about the time before me.