As you take this tour, please enjoy the sounds of Topeka High's unique 18-note Deagan Chime system. The recording is from the school's 20th annual Patriotic Chimes Concert, June 27, 2021 (THS Historical Society).

Topeka High School Patriotic Chimes Concert 2021

Classroom

This is a walking tour of the history of Topeka High School from its establishment to its current day activities.

Topeka High School (THS) was established in 1871. It is one of three public secondary schools operated by USD 501, the largest school district in Topeka. Since 1980, Topeka High has served students grades 9-12, and is classified as a 6A school, the largest classification for a high school in the state of Kansas. It is the largest and most diverse schools in the city, and has been since it was first established. Topeka High's official school colors are black and gold, and the school officially adopted the "Trojan" as its mascot in 1930. Topeka High was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 9, 2005.While the High School was established in 1871, it was not until 1931 that the school would reside at its current location. The 278,000 square foot Gothic style building was designed by architects Thomas W. Williamson (THS alum) and Ted Greist. One of the most notable features of the building is its iconic bell tower, which has since been rededicated to Williamson in 1974. The bell tower was made to be reminiscent of a spire at Oxford University (England). The tower stands approximately 165 feet over the building's main entrance (10th street side) and its footing sinks approximately 60 feet into the ground. Topeka High is the only public high school in the world that possesses a working 18-note Deagan Chime system.While the chimes of the bell tower can be heard at every hour, during the summer, the Topeka High Historical Society hosts a free annual "Patriotic Chimes Concert" the Sunday prior to July 4th. The 22nd Annual Patriotic Chimes Concert in 2023 will be held on July 2nd on the 10th street side lawn of Topeka High.If you are interested in scheduling a tour of the school, please call ahead to Joan Barker at (785) 295-3200.

Established in 1871, Topeka High School is a public secondary school that serves grades 9-12. Topeka High School has a very rich history and has served hundreds of thousands of students. The high school is most well known both locally and nationally for its iconic Gothic style architecture, which includes its 165 foot bell tower. The sounds of the Topeka High's unique bell tower can be heard throughout downtown Topeka.

Photo of the school's mascot statue in front of the bell tower front entrance.

Topeka High School

Topeka High School has always taken pride in its fine arts programs. One example of this pride is seen in the murals on the Western Plaza wall.The wall by the plaza (and the West entry to the building) is decorated with murals, four 4-by-7 ft panels, painted in 2018 by THS student Alessandra Chavez during the second semester of her senior year. The murals were created as part of a beautification project ignited by nine siblings of the Barrett Family who each graduated from Topeka High from 1941 to 1961. They funded the project as a way to give back to the school, an institution they each felt contributed to the success of their lives. The project was dedicated to their parents, William and Myrtle Barrett.The four murals are supposed to portray the different sides of THS life, as interpreted by Chavez. Chavez states that the core themes of her series of murals were architecture, diversity, acceptance, tradition, and creativity. <ul><li>The first panel depicts the school's most notable architectural part, its iconic bell tower.  </li><li>The second panel depicts average modern-day THS students wearing traditional Trojan helmets.</li><li>The third panel depicts a sunflower sunset with several different school supplies as a reference to the school’s yearbook, The Sunflower.</li><li>The fourth panel depicts the school yet another iconic piece of the school, its cafeteria chandeliers melting into the different desks and chairs which can be spotted around the school.</li></ul>

Topeka High's "Western Plaza" has become an important gathering place for students of Topeka High in recent decades. In recent years, the school has undertaken several beautification projects, including the creation of four murals by Topeka High School student Alessandra Chavez in 2018. The murals were funded by nine alumni who attended the school from 1941 to 1961.

The "Western Plaza" with the four painted murals.

Topeka High School "Western Plaza"

These are the two gyms of Topeka High School. The gym attached to the school is best known as the "Dungeon." Its court, Nicklin Court, is named after the beloved longtime men's basketball coach Willie Nicklin. The Dungeon can seat approximately 4,000 fans. The spectator stands are completely made out of metal giving the arena a much louder atmosphere for all visitors and opposing teams of the Trojans, but not all Trojans were actually able to play in this arena.Until the 1949-1950 season, Topeka High School still barred Black students from certain sports teams and cheer squads. As a result, Black students started their own teams and squads (though the school would provide them with bussing and uniforms). In 1929 the first black Topeka basketball team, the Cardinals, was founded. In 1935 they became the Ramblers.It is very important to note that it was the school's basketball teams that were segregated as the school actually had several integrated sports teams. Black students played on the Trojan football, ran for the Trojan track team, and even would play basketball in the same gym class with the students from the Trojan basketball team.The Ramblers were held to strict rules. They were prohibited form practicing or holding games on the grounds of Topeka High. Instead, they were forced to practice and have games at East Topeka Junior High. The Ramblers were also only provided with two basketballs–one of which was designated as a game ball, thus only one ball was available for practice unless a player owned his own ball and was willing to bring it to practice.The 1948-1949 season was Ramblers' last as sports started becoming more integrated nationally. The Ramblers have several notable alumni, two of which were key to the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education case: Oliver Brown and Charles Scott.

Before becoming one of the most diverse schools in Topeka, Topeka High School (THS), like many schools, was segregated and barred Black students from participating in many school activities. From 1929 to 1949, the Ramblers gave students an opportunity to participate in basketball and play against other black students teams from the surrounding area (Kansas City, St. Joseph, Fort Scott, Leavenworth, Coffeyville, etc.).

Topeka High Rambler's cheerleaders and student section at a game.

Topeka High School: Separation of Sports

Before Topeka High was built in 1931 at its current (800 SW 10th St) location, it was originally established in 1871 and its classes were held on the third floor of Lincoln College where the Memorial Building or G.A.R. Memorial Hall is located today (120 SW 10th Ave).The school has moved around several locations over the years and as the school’s attendance grew, it continued to outgrow the capacities and capabilities of facilities until the decision to construct a new building for the high school was made in 1894. The school sat on the northwest corner of 8th &amp; Harrison from 1894 to 1924 and underwent many additions to fit the still growing population as many people during this period were moving from rural communities and small towns to big cities.In 1924, the school’s population grew so much that the students overcrowded its new facility to the point where the Topeka Fire Marshall had to close the school’s fourth floor stating that it was “the biggest firetrap in the city.” After this, recommendations were made to construct one large school that would occupy an entire city block to deal with the size of the still growing student population. In 1928 when Bishop James Wise of the Grace Episcopal Cathedral Church offered to sell the grounds of the recently closed Bethany College and other property owned by the church due to the economic difficulties the church, just like many Kansans during this period, suffered from. That same year, Topekans voted to approve the $1.1 million dollars needed to finance the construction of the new Topeka High School, making it the first million high school built west of the Mississippi River. In September of 1931, the school’s current 10th street location was opened. Just like the church, the school was built in the Gothic Revival architectural style.

Topeka High School (THS) has not always been located at its 800 SW 10th street address. The school has actually been housed at several different locations throughout Downtown Topeka as the school's population required more and more room. It was not until 1928 when Bishop James Wise of the Grace Episcopal Cathedral Church offered to sell some of the church's property that the THS would receive its iconic building and location.

Photo of Topeka High School at its 800 SW 10th St location, 1932.

Grace Episcopal Cathedral Church: Origins of Topeka High's Building

Topeka High's spar is from the USS Constitution, nicknamed "Old Ironsides," after a cannon from an enemy ship supposedly bounded off the ship's side during the War of 1812. The USS Constitution was first launched in 1707 and remains commissioned by the Navy today, making it the world's oldest commissioned warship.Topeka High graduate Barton Phelps has been credited with getting the spar to his alma matter. Phelps was inspecting the Boston Naval Yard for the Department of the Navy when he found the spar in storage while the USS Constitution was refitting. Phelps sought help from fellow THS alum Vice President Charles Curtis to arrange for the spar to be sent to the school.The spar was dedicated in 1931 and has long been a source of pride for students, faculty, and alumni. Following years of wear and the work of woodpeckers, the spar was replaced in 2004 by another spar that had also been used by the Constitution. The availability of the replacement is a reflection of the ship's extended use as a heritage tourism attraction as the floating vessel's wooden parts need constant maintenance and occasional replacement. After being struck by lightning in 2007, a third spar was given to THS in 2008 as a replacement.

Since 1931, the east side of Topeka High School has featured an original spar from the USS Constitution. The spar was brought to Topeka by alumni of the school, including U.S. Vice President Charles Curtis. Weather, wear, and the work of woodpeckers led to the first being replaced in 2004 by a spar that had also been utilized by the storied wooded ship. After being struck by lightning in 2007, a third spar was given to THS in 2008 as a replacement. The spar stands alongside a bell from the USS Topeka.

USS Constitution Spar in "Constitution Plaza" outside of the school's east entrance.

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History of Topeka High School

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