"STORIES FROM THE KANSAS STATE CAPITOL: CHOOSING A CAPITAL CITY--WHY TOPEKA?"

A Moment in Time

Kansas Historical Society

April 2001, Part 10 of 10

By Eldon Harding

A monthly series from the Kansas Historical Society

It was through the perseverance and intellect of Cyrus K. Holliday that Topeka became the Capital of Kansas. He, with a small group of men, set out to find the perfect location to establish the capital. Holliday was blessed with the necessary intellect and the education to aid him in the fulfillment of his goal, but perhaps the greatest factor in obtaining his aspiration was his donation of the 20-acre sight upon which the Capitol stands.

Lest one think he was totally altruistic in his pursuit, Holliday had the foresight to see that Kansas Territory would open opportunities for making him a prosperous man. He envisioned the numbers of people who would come to the new state and would need banking facilities and a railroad to move both people and their agricultural products into and out of the state. Holliday would provide these.

He wasn't alone. Others knew the opportunities of establishing a capital had its rewards. A large number of politicians from Pennsylvania had come to Kansas Territory with the same idea. When the federal government appointed Pennsylvanian Andrew H. Reeder territorial governor, these politicians raced to the territory to buy up land, and establish towns for the sole purpose of getting rich off the sale of lots.

There were numerous locations that wanted to be the capital: Fort Leavenworth, Shawnee Mission, Lawrence, Lecompton, Tecumseh, Council City (Burlingame), Council Grove, Minneola (no longer in existence), and Pawnee, to name a few. Governor Reeder chose Pawnee and the Territorial Legislature convened there July 2, 1855. Reeder spent the money appropriated by Congress to erect a capitol, a governor's "mansion" and other buildings. The Territorial Capital lasted only four days but the building stands today, because of restoration efforts by the Union Pacific in 1928 and more recently, the Kansas legislators appropriated funds for its restoration and maintenance.

This scattering of capitals was largely due to the tumultuous days of the mid 1850s when the free-state and pro-slavery forces fought bitterly and voted illegally for their causes. The free state movement finally won and the settlers who wanted nothing more than to establish a land of peaceful homes and farms dominated the legislature. It was they who shared Holliday's dream and saw the need for a railroad to be established to market the products of the new territory and to bring settlers. They passed the legislation which granted a franchise and fulfilled Cyrus K. Holliday's aspirations.

The Wyandotte Constitutional Convention of 1859 made Topeka the temporary capital and submitted the question of permanency to the vote of the people. After congress admitted Kansas to the nation, January 29, 1861, an election was held in November of that year with Topeka receiving 7,996 votes, and Lawrence, 5,291. Several other locations divided 1,184 votes.

Topeka had no more than 800 citizens, was impoverished and drought stricken. However, no other community was in better condition.

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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