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

A "Separate But Equal" School?

Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site

— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —

A "Separate But Equal" School? Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., February 15, 2015

1. A "Separate But Equal" School? Marker

Inscription. When Monroe Elementary School opened in 1927, it was a key part of Topeka's grand, million-dollar school construction program. Topeka wanted a first-class educational system that would promote pride in the city's schools. The new Monroe School featured classrooms, a kindergarten, space for manual training and home economics, and a large combined gymnasium/auditorium. Despite the improvements, Monroe and the other elementary schools in Topeka remained racially segregated. In 1951, parents of students from Monroe School joined others from across the city as plaintiffs in the Brown v. Board of Education lawsuit, forever linking this site to one of the most important legal decisions in American history.

Erected 2014 by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education • Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.

Location. 39° 2.255′ N, 95° 40.54′ W. Marker is in Topeka, Kansas, in Shawnee County. It is on SE Monroe Street south of SE 15th Street, on the left when traveling south. Marker is at public parking area at Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site. Touch for map.

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Marker is at or near this postal address: 1515 SE Monroe Street, 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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Turning Point for Equality (here, next to this marker); How to Heat and Cool an Old School (within shouting distance of this marker); Monroe School Neighborhood (within shouting distance of this marker); A Playground and Community Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Monroe School (within shouting distance of this marker); Pillars of the Community (within shouting distance of this marker); Standing Up for Their Rights (within shouting distance of this marker); On This Site (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Topeka.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site. (Submitted on March 12, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. History of Brown v. Board of Education. (Submitted on March 12, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. African American Topeka. (Submitted on March 12, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Photographed by Adam Margolis, July 22, 2015

2. A "Separate But Equal" School? Marker

Monroe Elementary School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, July 1, 2023

3. Monroe Elementary School

The historical marker faces the former Monroe Elementary School building.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 672 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 12, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 2. submitted on April 6, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 3. submitted on March 27, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.