The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-21
TOPEKA A CENTER
Is Recognized as a Leader in
Architecture.
Local Designers Have Planned
Scores of Buildings.
ATTRACTIVE KANSAS SCHOOLS
They Have Been Designed in
1912 by TOpekans.
PretentiOus Residences, Too,
Have Been Erected Recently.

Topeka is becoming recognized as
the architectural center of Kansas.
Not only on account of her own pre-
tentious structures, including the
handsome marble G. A. r. Memorial
building. which when completed will
have cost close to half million dol
lars, but because it is here that plans
are drawn every year for scores of
buildings to be erected in all parts of
the state.
Notwithstanding the fact that bust
ness conditions over the country were
not quite up to par, particularly in
the fore part of the year, the local
architects have by no means been
idle. Attractive school houses, resi-
dences and store buildings have been
planned for the capital city and other
Kansas towns. In fact, the number
of buildings for educational purposes
and costly residences that have been
planned and erected is noteworthy.
Building at Arkansas City.
Among the school buildings partic-
ularly worthy of special mention is
the 100000 manual training building,
which was recently completed in Ar
kansas City. This structure is of red
vitrified brick with Silverdale stone
and terra Gotta trimmings One of
the special features is a gymnasium
45x75 feet in size, and which is fitted
out with the most modern equipment.
leries that have a seating capacity of
four hundred.
The Arkansas City manual building
is the only structure of les kind with
continuous unobstructed window light
ing. The exterior architectural eff
feet is pleasing. Four heavy stone
columns give the impression of mas
siveness and durability. The build
ing was designed by n. P. Nielsen.
The same architect also planned a
L.
grade school building. which is now on |
the point of completion at Haviland, !
Kan, in Kiowa county.
thirty-two thousand dollar ten /
rC ON modern high school building will !
be completed at Usage City soon after /
the first OF the year. 1t embOdies /!
SC me of the very latest features in ,
school architecture. For example, all j
unsightly fire escapes have been dis /
pensed with, and in their place areI
self contained fire-proof staircases in (
masonry walls and steel skeleton and |
wire glass partitions.
The assembly room on the second
floor of the building has a seating
ca pacity of 400. There will be steam
heat and fan ventilation. The build
plugs which will make the projecting
of motion pictures on a screen pos
sibIe.
In the basement is a gymnasium,
locker rooms and two class rooms. t
John F. Stanton is the architect.
Various School Buildings.
Deserving of special mention is the |
parish at Third and Van Buren, streets /
in Topeka. This building was COM 1
pleted in September, and cost ap-
proximately $4,000. 1t is ten
room building when the quarters for
the sisters in charge are included
This building was also designed by
Mr. Stanton. Mr.. Stanton planned the
reconstructed Potwin school building.
which when ready for use the first
of the year, will have cost in the
1eighborhood of $4,000.
J. c. Holland and Son designed a
$4,000 high school building of the
latest type, which is in course of con-
struction at Wakeeney, in Trego
county.
a high school building at Onaga
costing $4,000 was planned bv
Frank c. Squires. There are twelve
class rooms and a large assembly |
room in the structure. The material
s brick and cut stone.
The latest ideas in lighting and ventflat-
ng are features. There are no outside
IRE escapes as the inside staircases are
ample to guard against a panic
The four room school building which was
completed last spring is modern in every /
letail. There are folding partitions between |
he two upper rooms, so that it is possi- |
Die to convert the rooms into large as
'embly hall. The ceilings are high and |
he light comes from one side of the room
n each case-accordfng to the latest ideas !
a large new building designed by John
:. STATION has been erected at Western
University (colored)- On the two upper
loorS are dormitory rooms with a ca
1acity of accommodating seventy-eight
persons; also included is a chapel and
lass rooms. The chapel has a seating ca
)acity of six hundred.
Mr.. Stanton planned play ground build