Columbian Building -- Topeka KS
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member Benchmark Blasterz
N 39° 03.125 W 095° 40.444
15S E 268599 N 4325959
This gorgeous red sandstone Victorian office building grabs the eye with its bold color and classic style. It was added to the US National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Waymark Code: WMGTTY
Location: Kansas, United States
Date Posted: 04/09/2013
Published By:Groundspeak Charter Member BruceS
Views: 7

This is one of the most striking buildings we saw in downtown Topeka KS -- and in a state capital, that's saying something!

This beautiful red sandstone Victorian-influenced building really pops on a clear sunny day like today (13 Mar 2013). It is impossible to miss, and stopped Blasterz dead in our tracks. It has a unique mish-mash of styles that nevertheless seem to work for it, making it a memorable architectural addition to the city of Topeka.

KE0773 O, one of the coolest benchmarks we have EVER seen, is incised into the front of the Columbian building. The datasheet for this benchmark can be found here by following the link, entering the PID "KE0773" in the form and clicking 'submit': (visit link)

Here is a link to the National Register nomination form: (visit link)

This building is a stop on the walking tour of historic downtown Topeka: (visit link)

"— Columbian (Knox) Building, 112-114 W. 6th (1889). Romanesque-Prairie style; designed by Seymour Davis for Wm. Knox's bank, which failed in 1890s. Offices of prominent businessmen, attorneys, political organizations (e.g., Anti-Saloon League), and other institutions (e.g., U.S. Weather Bureau). On a 1901 saloon-smashing visit to town, Carrie Nation snuck in to meet an attorney but had to flee out back door to escape an angry mob. On National Register of Historic Places." [end]
Street address:
112--114 W. 6th St.
Topeka, KS


County / Borough / Parish: Shawnee

Year listed: 1975

Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture, Commerce

Periods of significance: 1875-1899

Historic function: Commerce/Trade , Business/Professional

Current function: Commerce/Trade , Business/Professional

Privately owned?: yes

Hours of operation: From: 9:00 AM To: 5:00 PM

Primary Web Site: [Web Link]

Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]

Season start / Season finish: Not listed

Secondary Website 2: Not listed

National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.
Search for...
Geocaching.com Google Map
Google Maps
MapQuest
Bing Maps
Nearest Waymarks
Nearest U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Nearest Geocaches
Create a scavenger hunt using this waymark as the center point
Recent Visits/Logs:
Date Logged Log User Rating  
iconions visited Columbian Building -- Topeka KS 07/09/2017 iconions visited it
Benchmark Blasterz visited Columbian Building -- Topeka KS 03/14/2013 Benchmark Blasterz visited it

View all visits/logs