In Spring 2000, then Kansas Senate President Dick Bond kicked off the preservation and restoration of the Kansas Statehouse by stressing the importance of the historic undertaking.

“What we have done here today will be valued by generations of Kansans as we restore to full glory the symbol of Kansas statehood and Kansas pride,” he said.

With those thoughts in mind, Treanor began a restoration, currently underway, that includes the first through fifth floors and rehabilitation/expansion of the basement. Work on the House and Senate Chambers, east wing offices, and under-ground 550-car parking garage is now complete. But the ongoing work is just a small part of the long and storied history of change and improvement at the Kansas Statehouse.

After a brief survey outlined the deterioration of the Statehouse, the Capitol Restoration Committee realized they had only two choices – construct a new building or restore the structure that had housed the seat of Kansas’ Government for more than 130 years.

Since the mid-1800s, the Kansas Statehouse has stood as the most politically significant and historic building in the state. Within its walls a long succession of Governors and other officials have set the policies guiding State affairs, the Legislature has debated the great issues of the day and formulated the law of the land and for many years the Kansas Supreme Court had interpreted the application of the law to Kansas citizens.

In 1862, the Topeka Association donated 20 acres of land for a new Statehouse. Although their town had been selected as the permanent capital, other ambitious towns were trying to lure this prize away. Topeka needed to get a permanent site set aside and begin construction of a capitol building as soon as possible. The Civil War and lack of State Treasury funds prevented the latter until 1866 when the Legislature voted to begin work on a true Statehouse. At long last an appropriation of $40,000 allowed construction to move forward. It was determined that public lands would be sold to raise the money.

The first step was the establishment of the Board of Statehouse Commissioners to oversee construction. This board selected renowned Kansas architect John G. Haskell to lead the work and W. W. H. Lawrence to serve as the project superintendent. Milwaukee’s E. Townsend Mix created the original design, but Haskell and the board radically modified it.

In an effort to mitigate the great demand for public financial support and to manage such a massive undertaking, the decision was made to build the capitol in three major phases: the east wing, the west wing and the center section. These three phases took place between 1866 and (approximately) 1903.

Erected first as a freestanding structure, the east wing was built between 1867 and 1869 using nearby Junction City limestone. The Legislative session of 1870 met in the east wing, even though only the building’s shell was finished. It had no portico or permanent steps at the main entrance on the east side, the Legislative hall had a temporary wood floor and it was divided by a makeshift partition to separate the two Houses. Office walls were more imaginary than real. Though crowded, all of the State's central functions were conducted there until some could be moved into the west wing in 1881.

The west wing was constructed of Cottonwood limestone between 1875 and 1881. This section was slightly larger in length and width than its sibling to the east and generally reflected more advanced building practices. With elaborate decor and the drama of Legislative sparring, the House of Representatives soon became the focus of attention in this newer section of the capitol. When the House of Representatives moved from the east wing, the older building’s third and fourth floors underwent a major interior upgrade. Completed in 1885, the extravagance of the Senate Chamber stood as a symbol of the pretensions of its distinguished inhabitants.

The center section, also constructed of Cottonwood limestone, was built between 1884 and 1903, and by the turn of the 20th century it had become the administrative heart of the building and of the State. Executive offices, including those of the Governor, were moved into this newest section while construction was completed floor-by-floor.

But perhaps the most impressive architectural feature of the capitol was the dome that towered over the surrounding cityscape. Visitors soon began to scramble to the observation deck on the very top from which they could see all of Topeka and a wide circle of the Kansas countryside.

Lighting, heating and ventilation systems were added as each section was built. Systems were generally state-of-the-art for their time. Gaslights and then electric lights followed the original kerosene lamps. Steam heat with radiators remained in use over many years. Heat sources evolved from separate boilers in each section, to a centralized system within the capitol. Later the Statehouse utilized an off-site heating plant located some distance from the building, but later heat was derived from a private company in contracted supply. Ventilation progressed from airshafts and open windows to electric fans, and later from window air conditioners to centralized air conditioning.

Development and maintenance of the grounds surrounding the Kansas Statehouse faced continual challenges. Many years passed before the original rough site began to transform into a landscaped setting. Tons of fill was used to level the ground, decorative vegetation was planted and replanted, and driveways and walkways were built. Neglect and the lack of funds often destroyed earlier accomplishments, but eventually trees, grass, flowers, paved drives, walks and lighting combined to create a refined environment for the Kansas State Capitol.

Once work is complete on this most recent restoration, all of these areas will be returned to their former glory. Through our work on this project, Treanor is proud to be a part of Statehouse history.

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