"STORIES FROM THE KANSAS STATE CAPITOL: WHERE'S THE FRONT?"

A Moment in Time

Kansas Historical Society

April 2001, Part 6 of 10

By Eldon Harding

A monthly series from the Kansas Historical Society

"My car has been stolen!" This odd but not unusual greeting is occasionally heard at the information desk of the Kansas State Capitol. The design of the building confuses many a visitor because each entrance is similar enough to look like the one they used to enter the building although, in actuality they may have entered on the opposite side of the capitol.

Even our ancestors were confused as to where the front of the building might be. In 1870, only the East wing stood. It was the first and only entrance. But, when the building was completed in 1903, there were four similar looking entrances. The north entrance, it was decided, would be the main entrance. This made perfectly good sense at the time because the main part of Topeka was north of the building. The south and west were mainly crop land with only a smattering of homes and construction. The Great Seal of Kansas was placed on the north doors with the intention that it would be the main entrance or front of the building. And so it was and remained until 1947.

By then, the city had expanded south and west extensively.

With the expansion, people began entering the capitol from those directions and found the south entrance more approachable. It was decided, with much controversy, that this should be considered the "front porch."

The final decision was prompted when the old wooden flag pole, which had stood on the east side, rotted off at the base and had to be replaced. It would have been a natural step to erect the new one on the front or north side but the population saw the crossing of bridges and railroad tracks to be detrimental to development to the north. They wanted the front to face where the greatest amount of development was likely to be. State architect Charles L. Marshall, tired of waiting for a resolution on the new flag pole placement, finally forced the issue. Governor Frank Carlson made the decision. "I am not sure that this will meet with the approval of everyone, but the legislature can designate a different official entrance if there is sufficient public clamor." It was decided that an "all official ceremony" would be held on the south lawn after the pole was erected.

This event also brought about a resurfacing of the circular drive around the capitol where deep chuckholes had developed making it "one of the roughest stretches of a state-maintained road in Kansas." Kaw Paving Company was awarded the contract for $7,822.

So the flag pole marks the "official approach" but the problem of finding one's car still exists. The interior of the building looks the same to many. Directions were put on the first floor in the center of the rotunda where they can be seen from all five levels. When visitors fail to spot the markers, the cry of "My car has been stolen!" can still be heard.

To learn more stories about the Kansas State Capitol, join a free guided tour at 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. The Capitol is located at 300 W. Tenth Topeka KS 66612; 785-296-3966; www.kshs.org. To reach the Capitol in downtown Topeka take exit 362B I-70 and follow the signs. During the legislative session, January through May, parking is limited.

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