Topeka Homes Guide

Topeka Real Estate

Topeka Background

Topeka is located on the banks of the Kansas River. It is the capital of Kansas and is also the county seat of Shawnee County. The name “Topeka” comes from the Indian term meaning “potato place” or “noisy”. Topeka originated in the mid 1800’s from a ferry service going across the Kansas River. Trade and commerce first began to surface in Topeka with the wagon trains from the Oregon Trail and the Santa Fe Trail and especially since the opening of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad. Since that time, Kansas has made great progress and continues to be a thriving economy.

Somewhere in Kansas

The strong work ethic of the first people who settled in the town of Topeka remains and is quite evident in the workforce today. Topeka has an extremely stable and diverse economy with many job opportunities for those in Topeka and surrounding areas. Many establishments, such as the Santa Fe Railroad, are still up and running today. As well as keeping some of the older, original businesses around, Topeka has added new industries as well, such as the many health care organizations, government operations, and manufacturing and distribution centers. Some of the main businesses in these arenas are Stormont-Vail Health Care, the State of Kansas, Blue Cross Blue Shield, St. Francis Health Center, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Distribution Center, and Payless Shoe Source Distribution Center.

Topeka’s rich history is still very visible in town today. Many historical sites in the town help the residents remember the past events and people of the town. African American history, from their beginnings in Topeka to the Brown V Board of Education facts to African Americans today, is remembered in the African American History Museum. The Topeka History Museum has displays honoring the Native American’s, the wagon trains of the Oregon Trail, settlers, and anyone else that happened to make an impact in the town of Topeka.

Topeka welcomes the cultural diversity that has made it what it is today: Native Americans, descendants of early settlers, African Americans, and many other ethnicities, just as it always has. Residents of Topeka are inspired by the early settlers and pioneers of the town and have committed themselves to generate produce new ideas for the present, and lay a solid foundation for the future.