Stories & Writings

From state-shaping politics to untold stories of resistance and resilience, these Topeka landmarks invite locals and travelers to experience the capital city’s soul through its history. John Ritchie House SOUTHEAST TOPEKA One of the oldest homes still standing in Topeka, the John Ritchie House is more than a historical site; it’s a monument to courage. Built in the 1850s, it served as a stop on the Underground Railroad, offering safe passage to enslaved people seeking freedom

Over the last three decades, Topeka families have huddled close and braved the cold (sometimes freezing) weather to take in the splendor of holiday floats, live performances, and all the treats they can stuff in their pockets during the Miracle on Kansas Avenue. Topeka's signature holiday parade.

Mausoleum Row is more than a resting place — it is Topeka’s memory, preserved in stone. The families buried here built legacies. They shaped the very streets we walk today. Visiting this stretch of the cemetery is a reminder that history is not confined to books; it is all around us, waiting to be read in weathered names, graceful columns, and the stories of those who came before.

A Flavorful Tour Through Kansas’ Capital City. These Topeka restaurants are local favorites that you won't want to miss.