People and objects have become icons for particular cities and regions for many reasons. Some achieve that status on account of their fame, others because of their notoriety. Regardless of the reason, many of these icons have become synonymous with a city or area, enabling numerous opportunities relating to the identity and culture of an entire region.
As the capital of Kansas, Topeka is home to the Kansas State Capitol which can be seen from across the city. That connection with the city goes beyond how it impacts the skyline though, as the icon of the capitol can be seen in various other ways across the region. By embracing this icon in such a distinct way, Topeka has created an identity for itself that residents have been able to identify with and utilize in various ways.
“Finishing” the Kansas State Capitol Dome
The Kansas State Capitol, known also as the Kansas Statehouse, began to be constructed in 1886 but wasn’t completed until 1903. However, the process to “finish” the dome wasn’t finalized until a bronze sculpture of a Kansa warrior was selected to be placed at the top of the dome in 1988. The bronze Ad Astra sculptue depicts a Kansas Native American with bow and arrow pointed at the North Star and was chosen from 27 entries to adorn the dome. It is taken from the state motto, Ad astra per aspera, which translates “to the stars through difficulties.”
The statue is distinctive, but the dome’s history and connection to Topeka have proven to be far more pervasive. Numerous businesses have utilized the icon of the dome in their logos, while markers and signs throughout Topeka feature stylized depictions of the dome. The dome of the Kansas State Capitol can literally be seen from across the city, but the skyline is far from the only place it can be recognized.
That connection to the city has enabled a powerful sense of identity that is unique to and for Topeka. While other cities in Kansas feature monuments and landmarks that draw attention from across the state and nation, few are as synonymous with the city as the Kansas State Capitol is with Topeka. While Topeka features other notable pieces of history, the imagery of the capital is distinct to the point that events and other activities are centered around the Capitol.
Maps and guides to the city feature the dome of the Kansas State Capitol, further showcasing how it has defined an identity for Topeka. In doing so, this icon has come to signify a legacy that other cities and regions could utilize if they made an active effort to seize upon the distinctive elements that their area already contains.
Across Topeka and Beyond
Countless cities and regions have distinctive monuments and landmarks that could be utilized to create an identity for the surrounding communities, but stakeholders are not always able to take advantage of those opportunities. Topeka illustrates what kind of opportunities can be opened up for everyone when an entire city does so without administering any additional burden or cost to a city or community.
