Kansas' capital city and home to the historic Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park, Topeka is a center of American civil rights history.
Population (2020 Census)
Northeastern Kansas
Capitol Built
Brown v. Board Decision
Topeka is the capital city of Kansas and seat of Shawnee County, located along the Kansas River in the central part of the state in northeastern Kansas. With a 2020 census population of 126,587, Topeka is recognized nationally for its pivotal role in American civil rights history, specifically as the home of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case.
Topeka's most significant contribution to American history comes from the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. Under an 1879 Kansas law, the Topeka Board of Education operated separate elementary schools for white and African-American students. In 1951, Oliver Brown and twelve other local black families filed a class-action lawsuit against the Topeka Board of Education when his daughter was refused enrollment at the school closest to their home and required instead to ride a bus to a segregated school farther away.
On May 17, 1954, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren delivered the unanimous ruling declaring state-sanctioned segregation of public schools a violation of the 14th Amendment and therefore unconstitutional. This landmark civil rights decision ended the "separate but equal" precedent established in Plessy v. Ferguson and served as a catalyst for the expanding civil rights movement throughout the 1950s and beyond.
The Kansas State Capitol Building, built in 1866, exemplifies traditional capitol architecture with its distinctive domed roof and carved marble exterior in Italian Renaissance style. The interior features imported marble and native woods with a notable collection of paintings by John Steuart Curry, Kansas' most famous painter. The building serves as the seat of Kansas government and stands as an iconic symbol of state governance.
Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park: Located in the historic Monroe Elementary School, this museum documents the landmark civil rights case and its lasting impact on American education and civil rights history. A must-visit for understanding this pivotal moment in American history.
Topeka Zoo: Located in Gage Park, the zoo features collections of both domestic wildlife and animals from around the world, making it a popular family destination.
Arts & Culture: The Mulvane Art Museum at Washburn University features ArtLab (a family-friendly hands-on art experience), and the North Topeka Arts District (NOTO) hosts a bustling Friday Artwalk. The Great Mural Wall is a vibrant community art project attracting visitors and artists.
Historic Sites: Historic Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade offers glimpses of frontier Kansas life, Lake Shawnee provides recreational opportunities, and Gage Park offers green spaces for public enjoyment.
Unique Attractions: The Evel Knievel Museum and Yesterdays Motorcycle Museum showcase unique Kansas heritage.
Area Attractions, Points of Interest, Performing Arts, Events and Shows, Museums and Historical Sites.
Last updated on November 24, 2025