1950 Map of Topeka

About this map

The State Capitol anchors this detailed study of the Kansas capital city, showing the urban core as it appeared in 1950 with updates through the mid-1970s. The city's reliance on the Kansas River and a massive rail network is evident, with the Union Pacific, Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe, and Chicago Rock Island and Pacific lines converging near the water. Significant institutional grounds occupy large portions of the landscape, including Washburn University, the sprawling State Hospital, and the Winter VA Hospital. Beyond the central district, the map traces the residential growth of neighborhoods like Oakland and Highland Park, while the northern boundary is defined by Soldier Creek and the historic Old Indian Bdy. From the peak of Burnett Mound to the southern shores of Lake Shawnee, the sheet documents a city balancing its role as a political hub with its industrial and academic identity.