Topeka High School

Established in 1871, Topeka High School is a public secondary school that serves grades 9-12. Topeka High School has a very rich history and has served hundreds of thousands of students. The high school is most well known both locally and nationally for its iconic Gothic style architecture, which includes its 165 foot bell tower. The sounds of the Topeka High's unique bell tower can be heard throughout downtown Topeka.

Topeka High School (THS) was established in 1871. It is one of three public secondary schools operated by USD 501, the largest school district in Topeka. Since 1980, Topeka High has served students grades 9-12, and is classified as a 6A school, the largest classification for a high school in the state of Kansas. It is the largest and most diverse schools in the city, and has been since it was first established. Topeka High's official school colors are black and gold, and the school officially adopted the "Trojan" as its mascot in 1930. Topeka High was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 9, 2005.

While the High School was established in 1871, it was not until 1931 that the school would reside at its current location. The 278,000 square foot Gothic style building was designed by architects Thomas W. Williamson (THS alum) and Ted Greist. One of the most notable features of the building is its iconic bell tower, which has since been rededicated to Williamson in 1974. The bell tower was made to be reminiscent of a spire at Oxford University (England). The tower stands approximately 165 feet over the building's main entrance (10th street side) and its footing sinks approximately 60 feet into the ground. Topeka High is the only public high school in the world that possesses a working 18-note Deagan Chime system.

While the chimes of the bell tower can be heard at every hour, during the summer, the Topeka High Historical Society hosts a free annual "Patriotic Chimes Concert" the Sunday prior to July 4th. The 22nd Annual Patriotic Chimes Concert in 2023 will be held on July 2nd on the 10th street side lawn of Topeka High.

If you are interested in scheduling a tour of the school, please call ahead to Joan Barker at (785) 295-3200.

Fraley, Amber. High School in the Heartland, KANSAS! Magazine. May 18th, 2021. Accessed May 7th, 2023. https://www.travelks.com/kansas-magazine/articles/post/high-school-in-the-heartland/.

Hall, Brian. Topeka High School, Tauy Creek. July 15th, 2019. Accessed May 8th, 2023. http://www.tauycreek.com/2019/07/topeka-high-school.html.

KSNT. Topeka High School holds 19th annual Patriotic Chimes Concert, KSNT. June 21st, 2021. Accessed May 7th, 2023. https://www.ksnt.com/news/local-news/topeka-high-school-holds-19th-annual-patriotic-chimes-concert/.

Topeka High Historical Society. About THSHS, THS Historical Society. February 23rd, 2023. Accessed May 7th, 2023. https://www.thshistoricalsociety.org/who-we-are/.