Timeline of Topeka, Kansas

19th century

1854 - Topeka Association organized.

1855

Constitution Hall built.

Topeka Constitutional Convention held.

1856

Free-state government installed in Topeka, March 1856.

1857

Topeka incorporated.

State Library of Kansas established.

1859 - Kansas State Record newspaper begins publication.

1860

Grace Church incorporated.

Drought.

1861

Topeka designated state capitol.

Kansas legislature convenes.

Episcopal Female Seminary of Topeka chartered.

1863 - Kansas Farmer begins publication.

1864

Topeka threatened during Price's Raid.

Fort Simple built in the fall in to defend against Confederate troops during Price's Raid.

1865

Lincoln College founded.

Harrison School built.

Union Pacific railway begins operating in Eugene.

1867 - Fort Simple torn down in April.

1868 - Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad construction begins.

1872 - Topeka State Hospital opens.

1873 - Kansas Academy of Science incorporated.

1875 - Kansas Historical Society founded.

1878 - Topeka Harvey House opens.

1879 - Daily Capital newspaper begins publication.

1883 - Public Library building constructed.

1887

Governor's Mansion built.

Topeka Golden Giants baseball team formed.

1890 - Population: 31,007.

1894 - Christ's Hospital established.

1895 - Topeka Industrial and Educational Institute and Stormont Hospital and Training School established.

1897 - Topeka Tent and Awning Company established.

1899 - Gage Park established.

20th century

1900

Bethel Bible College founded.

Population: 33,608.

1902 - Smith Automobile Company founded.

1903 - Kansas State Capitol building constructed.

1906 - Bethesda Hospital established.

1909 - St. Francis Hospital established.

1910 - Population: 43,684.

1911 - Hayden High School established.

1914 - G.A.R. Memorial Hall built.

1917 - Grace Episcopal Cathedral built.

1920 - Menninger Clinic opens.

1926 - Jayhawk Theatre opens.

1933 - Topeka Zoo opens.

1936 - Sumner Elementary School built.

1941 - Topeka Army Air Field established.

1950

Population: 78,791.

Railroad station built.

1952 - Topeka Lutheran School opens.

1954 - Brown v. Board of Education decided.

1955 - Westboro Baptist Church opens.

1962 - Cedar Crest (mansion) becomes state governor's official residence.

1965 - Topeka Genealogical Society founded.

1966 - Tornado.

1976 - Forbes Field (airport) in operation.

1980 - Cair Paravel-Latin School founded.

1984 - Kansas Museum of History opens.

1987 - Sunflower State Expo arena opens.

1988 - West Ridge Mall opens.

1989 - Heartland Park Topeka motorsports facility opens.

1991 - Topeka Performing Arts Center opens.

1997 - City website online (approximate date).

1998 - Topeka ScareCrows ice hockey team founded.

2000s

2003 - Kansas Koyotes football team formed.

2004

Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site opens.

Topeka RoadRunners ice hockey team founded.

2005

Bill Bunten becomes mayor.

Topeka Golden Giants baseball team formed.

2006 - Railroad station built.

2008 - North Topeka Arts District formed.

2009 - Topeka Mudcats women's football team founded.

2010s

2010

Kaw River State Park opens.

Population: 127,473.