Downtown in Topeka in Shawnee County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Kansas History
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 29, 2011
1. Kansas History Marker
The first Spanish explorers arrived in Kansas in 1541, followed by Lewis and Clark in 1804. Westward migration brought the first white settlers - government agents in 1808 and missionaries in 1825. Oil and gas were discovered in 1851. In 1854, Kansas became a territory with a population of 1,500 white people. On January 29, 1861, Kansas entered the Union as the 34th state with a constitution that prohibits slavery. In 1862, Kansas passed the Homestead Act. Homesteaders could claim 160 acres of land by living on it for five years.
Kansas is named for the Kansa tribe, whose name means People of the Wind. Famous for its farming, oil, aircraft industry, and modern cities, Kansas is a proud, forward-looking state.
Erected by Paul and Karma Aylward.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is January 29, 1861.
Location. 39° 2.862′ N, 95° 40.751′ W. Marker is in Topeka, Kansas, in Shawnee County. It is in Downtown. It can be reached from Southwest 10th Avenue. Marker is on the west grounds of the state Capitol, near SW Harrison Street and about 300 feet west of the SW entrance to the Capitol. Touch for map.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kansas. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Capitol Building (here, next to this marker); The Governor's Plaque (here, next to this marker); Kansas Children (here, next to this marker); The Kansa Tribe (here, next to this marker); Ad Astra Dedication Ceremony (here, next to this marker); "Ad Astra" (here, next to this marker); "To the Stars Through Difficulties": A Chronicle (here, next to this marker); Removal to Indian Territory (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Topeka.
Also see . . .
1. History of Kansas. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on January 23, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. State of Kansas. Official Website (Submitted on September 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 29, 2011
2. Kansas History Marker
State Capitol in background
Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 29, 2025
3. Kansas History Marker
updated photo with the Ad Astra statue on top
Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 733 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3. submitted on October 31, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
