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
About Shawnee County
Shawnee County Timeline
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.
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.
Shawnee County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history 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.