National Register Listings in
Shawnee County, Kansas

2209 SW 29th / Dr. Karl & Jeanetta Lyle Menninger Education Center Albaugh, Morton, House Alt, Solomon A., House Anton-Woodring House ATSF Motive Power Building Blacksmith Creek Bridge Bowker House Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site Casson Building Cedar Crest Central Motor and Finance Corporation Building Central National Bank Church of the Assumption and Rectory Church of the Assumption Historic District Church of the Holy Name College Avenue Historic District Columbian Building Constitution Hall-Topeka Crawford Building Crawford, Nelson Antrim, House Crosby, William T. and Delora, House Curtis Junior High School Curtis, Charles, House Davies Building Devon Apartments Dillon House East Topeka Junior High School England Farm Evergreen Court Apartments Fire Station No. 1 Fire Station No. 2-Topeka Fire Station No. 4 Fire Station No. 6 Fire Station No. 7 Gem Building Giles-Nellis House Gordon Building Harmon, John C., House Hicks Block Holliday Park Historic District I Holliday Park Historic District II Hopkins House House at 116 Southwest The Drive HTK Architects Office Building Hughes Conoco Service Station Jayhawk Hotel, Theater and Walk Kansas State Capitol Kouns, Charles and Dorothy, House Lippitt, James and Freda, House Luttjohann, Fred and Cora, House Lyons, Horace G., House Masonic Grand Lodge Building McCauley Bridge Memorial Building Menninger Clinic Building Mill Block Historic District Morgan House North Topeka Baptist Church Old German-American State Bank Park Plaza Apartments Pottawatomie Baptist Mission Building Pottawatomie Baptist Mission Building and Site (Boundary Increase) Potwin Place Historic District Ritchie, John and Mary, House Ross Row Houses Sage Inn Santa Fe Hospital Sargent, John, House Security Benefit Association Hospital Building Senate and Curtis Court Apartments Historic District Shiloh Baptist Church Shoemaker, J.A., House South Kansas Avenue Commercial Historic District St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church St. John's Lutheran School St. Joseph's Catholic Church St. Joseph's School-St. Joseph's Convent St. Mark's African Methodist Episcopal Church Sumner Elementary School and Monroe Elementary School Thacher Building Thomas Arch Bridge Topeka Cemetery Historic District (Boundary Increase) Topeka Council of Colored Women's Clubs Building Topeka High School Topeka Veterans Administration Hospital Union Pacific Railroad Passenger Depot Uniontown Cemetery United States Post Office and Court House Veale, Tinkham, Building Wakarusa Hotel Ward-Meade House Washburn University Carnegie Library Building Wea Creek Bowstring Arch Truss Bridge Westminster Presbyterian Church Willits House Woman's Club Building Woodward, Chester B., House
Before becoming a state, Kansas was the site of many battles and conflicts between pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups, earning it the nickname "Bleeding Kansas."
Kansas random facts
Shawnee County, located in the state of Kansas, has a rich history intertwined with the growth and development of the region. The area that is now Shawnee County was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Shawnee, Potawatomi, and Kansa. European exploration of the region began in the early 19th century when French fur traders arrived, followed by American settlers.

In 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska Act led to the establishment of the Kansas Territory, including what would become Shawnee County. The area saw significant turmoil and violence during the Bleeding Kansas era, as tensions rose between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers. Shawnee County specifically played a role in this conflict, with several incidents occurring within its borders.

The year 1855 marked the official founding of Shawnee County, with the establishment of Topeka as its county seat. The city grew rapidly, becoming the state capital of Kansas in 1861. With the advent of the railroad in the late 19th century, Topeka and Shawnee County experienced further expansion and economic growth.

Throughout the 20th century, Shawnee County continued to thrive. It became a hub for agriculture, manufacturing, and aviation industries. The county also played a significant role in the civil rights movement. Notable events include the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case, which originated in Topeka and led to the desegregation of schools nationwide.

Today, Shawnee County remains a vibrant and diverse community, with a strong focus on education, arts, and culture. Its rich history is preserved through numerous historical sites, museums, and landmarks, reminding residents and visitors alike of the region's past.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Shawnee County, Kansas.

  • 1817 - Shawnee County established as part of the Territory of Missouri.
  • 1825 - Treaty of St. Louis establishes Shawnee Indian reservation in the area.
  • 1830 - Shawnee Indians are removed from the reservation as part of the Indian Removal Act.
  • 1845 - Shawnee County is officially organized with Tecumseh as its county seat.
  • 1855 - Topeka becomes the county seat of Shawnee County.
  • 1857 - The first courthouse in Shawnee County is completed.
  • 1870 - The population of Shawnee County reaches over 13,000 people.
  • 1930 - The population of Shawnee County exceeds 95,000 people.
  • 1954 - Topeka becomes the site of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case.
  • 1977 - The first women are sworn into office as Shawnee County Commissioners.
  • 1996 - The Kansas Expocentre in Topeka opens, becoming a major entertainment venue.
  • 2007 - The Heartland Park Topeka sports complex undergoes significant renovations.