Topeka, KS

Topeka is a city in and the county seat of Shawnee County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 127,912. The metropolitan area had a population of 233,911 as of the 2010 census. Topeka is home to Washburn University and KU Medical Center- Wichita.

The first permanent settlement in what would become Topeka was made in 1854 when members of the Mormon Church settled on a site east of present-day Westport. In 1855 they were joined by other pioneers and named their new town "Kanesville". The name was changed to " Topeka" in 1859 after Kansas became a state. The first post office opened on July 16, 1859. In 1865 during the American Civil War Topeka served as capital of Kansas while Lawrence was destroyed by Union troops.

In 1907 Charles W. Fairchild founded Fairchild Aircraft Corporation here and began production of aircraft parts for World War I. After World War II Boeing established an assembly plant near Topeka that produced jetliners such as the 707 and 747; it closed in 1997 after more than 50 years operation. Other major employers have included Hutchinson Cement Company (now part of LafargeHolcim), BNSF Railway (formerly Burlington Northern Santa Fe), and Kimberly- Clark Corporation (formerly Huggins Paper).

Since its inception as a town, Topeka has been noted for its agricultural production: wheat farming began shortly after settlement; today there are several hundred wheat farms throughout Shawnee County; hogs are raised extensively; cattle are grazed on rangeland west of town; eggs are produced by many chicken farmers; tomatoes are grown commercially in some areas; and gardens abound with produce for local restaurants and grocery stores. Manufacturing has also played an important role in Topeka's economy: early manufacturers included the Charles Wagon Works (now known as Charles Koch Industries) which manufactured wagons for railroads nationwide; Fairchild Aircraft Corporation which built aircraft components for both World Wars; Deere & Company which manufactures farm equipment including tractors, combines, balers and other heavy machinery used throughout North America; Boeing Commercial Airplanes which manufactures commercial airplanes including 737s and 747s at its assembly plant near Wichita Airport.; Koch Industries produces oil products such as gasoline, diesel fuel oil, asphalt emulsion products etc.; Eaton Corporation makes power tools including drillsaws etc.; Corning Incorporated makes glass products including windshields for cars