Topeka in Shawnee County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Kansas Children

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 29, 2011

1. Kansas Children Marker

Inscription.
In 1988, elementary school children of Kansas submitted to the Kansas Arts Commission drawings they thought would be the best idea for a sculpture to top the Capitol dome. Sunflowers, eagles, meadowlarks, farmers, cottonwood trees, wheat shocks, and Native Americans were represented among other things. Overwhelmingly, the most popular subject was the Native American. Chiefs, braves, and squaws were depicted in various activities. Sculptor Richard Bergen reviewed these children's art works and was convinced by their drawings that he should submit a model of a Kansa brave, named "Ad Astra." This model won the nation-wide competition to select a sculpture for the Capitol dome.

Erected by Ruth Garvey and H. Bernerd Fink.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1988.

Location. 39° 2.863′ N, 95° 40.751′ W. Marker is in Topeka, Kansas, in Shawnee County. 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. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka KS 66612, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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.

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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); The Kansa Tribe (here, next to this marker); Ad Astra Dedication Ceremony (here, next to this marker); Kansas History (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. Kansas State Capitol. Kansas Historical Society website entry (Submitted on September 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

2. Ad Astra Sculpture. Kansapedia website entry (Submitted on September 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 29, 2011

2. Kansas Children Marker

Kansas Capitol steps in background

Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 507 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 10, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.