Topekans Go West to New Neighborhoods ; Architecture, Location Help Create Identities

Summary

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Topeka's growth to the west and south in the first half of the 20th century was a way to get away from the city's industrial section.

The railroad tracks limited access to the east side of town, said Mark Lahr, who worked in the city planning department for more than 35 years.

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Topekans Go West to New Neighborhoods ; Architecture, Location Help Create Identities

There were many more trains running during the first half of the 1900s than there are today. Interstate 70 creates a similar barrier today to East Topeka, Lahr said.

Areas outside the city limits had their own attraction.

Shawnee County didn't have any building restrictions until the late 1950s, Lahr said.

"Compact growth wasn't a consideration," he said.

T...

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