Topeka Relocation Guide 2009

Contents “There are many attractions that newcomers to our city should see, and my favorite is Topeka High School. Built in 1930 for an estimated $1 million, its architecture is inspiring. Topeka High has an auditorium that seats 2,000 students, a gymnasium that seats an estimated 5,000, a cafeteria, a beautiful library and it has marble floors. Topeka High School is perhaps the most beautiful high school in the world.” Topeka Mayor Bill Bunten Topeka’s Pioneering Spirit Prevails During Turbulent Economic Times 4 The Topeka & Shawnee County Library is “Your” Place 6 Topeka Arts Community Grows Through ARTSConnect 8 Topeka Bragging Rights 10 History of Topeka 12 Choosing Topeka 13 Little Known Facts About Topeka 15 15 Things to Experience in Topeka 16 What’s a Young Professional to Do? 16 Topeka in Profile 18 Transportation 19 Lodging 20 Brick Oven: American Cuisine with a Multi-Cultural Twist 22 Great Overland Station: Rich History, Elegant Architecture 23 Religious Organizations 25 Libraries, Shopping and Child Care Referral 26 Housing 28 Income Demographics 30 Business and Industry 32 Topeka MSA Employment 33 Education 34 Higher Education Opportunities 38 Healthcare 40 Local Transportation 44 Taking Care of Pets 44 Utilities 45 Cultural Activities 46 Trails 48 Festivals 49 Attractions 50 Important Numbers 53 Community Information Sources 53 Licensing Agencies 54 Employment Agencies 54 “My favorite place is Gage Park because it provides a wonderful, scenic environment that captures the natural beauty of our community and is a great place for a family to spend the day.” Topeka City Manager Norton Bonaparte, Jr. “Lake Shawnee is my favorite place. Lake Shawnee is the community’s crown jewel. The Garden House at the Lake was our family home for 31 years.” Shawnee County Commissioner Ted Ensley Produced in cooperation with the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce and the Topeka Area Association of REALTORS by Peterson Publications, Inc. Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce 120 SE Sixth Avenue, Suite 110 Topeka, Kansas 66603-3515 785-234-2644 FAX: 785-234-8656 E-mail: topekainfo@TopekaChamber.org Web site: www.TopekaChamber.org Douglas S. Kinsinger, CCE, President & CEO Topeka Area Association of REALTORS, Inc. 2130 SW 37th Street Topeka, Kansas 66611 785-267-3215 FAX: 785-267-4993 E-mail: connie@topekaareahomes.com Web site: www.topekaareahomes.com Connie Goodnow, CEO Published by: Peterson Publications, Inc. 2150 SW Westport Drive, Suite 101 Topeka, Kansas 66614 785-271-5801 FAX: 785-271-6404 Copyright 2009, Peterson Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including a photocopy, recording or any other information retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher: Peterson Publications, Inc. “A great place to visit in Shawnee County is the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. You always feel welcome, and what an amazing place to experience art, lectures, books, music, the café, audio tapes, movies and the list goes on.” Shawnee County Commissioner Shelly Buhler “My favorite place in Topeka is Porubsky’s Deli and Grocery Store in Little Russia. It’s a great place for a newcomer to discover one of the things that makes Topeka special – its sense of community. You just can’t beat the tradition, conversation, chili and local flavor that you find at Porubsky’s.” Shawnee County Commissioner Vic Miller Topek a Reloc at ion Gu ide 20 09 3 http://www.TopekaChamber.org http://www.topekaareahomes.com

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Topeka Relocation Guide 2009 Contents Topeka's Pioneering Spirit Prevails During Turbulent Economic Times The Topeka & Shawnee County Library is "Your" Place Topeka Arts Community Grows Through ARTSConnect Topeka Bragging Rights History of Topeka Choosing Topeka Little Know Facts About Topeka 15 Things to Experience in Topeka What's a Young Professional to Do? Topeka in Profile Transportation Lodging Brick Oven: American Cuisine with a Multi-Cultural Twist Great Overland Station: Rich History, Elegant Architecture Religious Organizations Libraries, Shopping and Child Care Referral Housing Income Demographics Business and Industry Topeka MSA Employment Education Higher Education Opportunities Healthcare Local Transportation Taking Care of Pets Utilities Cultural Activities Trails Festivals Attractions Important Numbers Community Information Sources Licensing Agencies Employment Agencies

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