North Topeka, Kansas facts for kids
North Topeka is an area of Topeka, Kansas. Although not officially a city it is treated like one by many of its residents and experiences relatively low crime rates compared to the rest of Topeka. Unlike most of the City of Topeka, North Topeka is served primarily by the Seaman USD 345 School District. The City of Topeka was actually incorporated in North Topeka.
Historic North Topeka:
William Curtis (grandfather of Charles Curtis, who was born in North Topeka and went on to become Vice President of the United States under Hoover) and Louis Laurent laid out a town in 1865 that they called Eugene (possibly after a place in Indiana). Less than a year later—on New Year's Day, what is now North Topeka welcomed the first train (Union Pacific) to town. The advent of the railroad assured that this area would for much of the 19th century be the industrial heart of the Kansas capital (excluding, of course, the mammoth AT&SF Shops across the river).
In April 1867, southside Topeka annexed Eugene, the first such city expansion. At the time more evenly matched in population and economy, north and south played a tug-of-war for industry and commerce the remainder of the 1800s. In 1903, North Topeka suffered the devastating effects of a major flood. However, many fine buildings dating from that period remain, and when restored, will make North Topeka a showplace of Victorian-era commercial and residential architecture.
Landmarks of North Topeka include:
- The Great Overland Station (http://www.greatoverlandstation.com/) (1927) Neo-classical station by Los Angeles firm of Gilbert S. Underwood; spectacular interior typical of grand stations of early 20th century. Over the years many dignitaries passed through; June 1945, Gen. Eisenhower stopped here on way to Abilene; was one of the most photographed of Union Pacific's mid-sized stations. Not only North Topeka symbol, one of ten most important Topeka landmarks. Has been fully restored.
- Historic Downtown North Topeka
North Topeka Schools: Topeka public schools serve over 13,000 students with more than 1,300 teachers and 1,100 support staff. Student ethnicity breaks down into 3 main categories with 42% white, 27% Hispanic and 27% African American. The Superintendent of TPS schools is Dr. Julie Ford. She became the first female superintendent after starting her duties as interim Superintendent in July 2011.
Education in North Topeka
