Art
Politics
Business
Adventure
Inventor
100
(1912-2006), He was born in Fort Scott, Kan. and was a photographer of a variety of forums including fashion, African-American’s during the Civil Rights Movements. He was an author, playwright and screenwright.
Who is Gordon Parks?
100
(1860-1936) Was a native Topekan who was the first American Indian to serve as vice president of the United States.
Who is Charles Curtis?
100
(1879-1954) He began Cessna Aircraft Co. in 1927. Cessna was always interested in mechanics and technology. In 1911, he built his first airplane — the Silverwing. His design was a success, but only after crashing and rebuilding 13 times.
Who is Clyde Cessna?
100
A native of Atchison, she was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She also set many aviation records for speed, penned several books, lectured on aviation and attempted to circle the globe at the equator. She disappeared in 1937 over the Pacific Ocean.
Who is Amelia Earhart?
100
(1861-1939), He was the inventor of the game of basketball. He was hired by the University of Kansas to coach basketball, teach physical education, and serve as chaplain in 1898.
Who is James Naismith?
200
(1897-1946),He was born in Dunavant, Kan. and studied art all over the United States and in Paris. In 1937, he was commissioned to paint murals in the state capital. After controversy over his paintings, Curry quit in 1942 and never signed his work. Tragic Prelude featuring John Brown is one of his most famous works known worldwide.
Who is John Steuart Curry?
200
(1826-1900), He served as Topeka city mayor for several terms and had a hand in several business ventures including the Railroad, Excelsior Coke and Gas Company and Merchants National Bank of Topeka. He donated 20 acres for the new state capitol building. Today, Topeka has an historic park named after him. ( hint: We celebrate these things.)
Who is Cyrus K. Holliday?
200
(1893-1990), He along with several family members, founded a psychiatric clinic in Topeka that became world renowned for its treatment of people with mental illness.
Who is Karl Menninger?
200
(1800-1859), He was an abolitionist with the main goal of seeing Kansas become a free state. “Tragic Prelude,” a mural in his honor located inside the Kansas State Capitol Building has received worldwide acclaim.
Who is John Brown?
200
(1923-2005) He graduated from Great Bend High School. He invented the microchip, and co-invented the pocket calculator. He received the Nobel Prize in Physics in the year 2000 and held more than 60 U.S. patents.
Who is Jack Kilby?
300
(1868-1944) He was born in Emporia and bought the Emporia Gazette newspaper in 1895. He hosted several U.S. presidents at his home and was known as the “Sage of Emporia.” He was an author who received two Pulitzer Prizes and a children’s book award is named for him.
Who is William Allen White?
300
(1932) Was the first woman to represent Kansas in the U.S. senate. Daughter of former Kansas governor, Alfred Landon.
Who is Nancy Landon Kassebaum?
300
He was editor of the Topeka Daily Capital and Capper's Weekly, as well as Kansas governor and U.S. senator. He may be best loved for his founding of Capper Foundation for children with disabilities.
Who is Arthur Capper?
300
(1933-1990) He became the first Topekan in space as Command Module Pilot for Apollo 17. He would go on to serve with the support crews for the Apollo 7 and Apollo 11 missions before heading into space for the first and only time with Apollo 17.
Who is Ron Evans?
300
(1875–1940), He was born in Wamego, KS and founder of Chrysler Corporation.
Who is Walter Chrysler?
400
He was an African-American painter and graphic artist who played a leading role in the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s. There is a park and mural in central Topeka that bear his name.
Who is Aaron Douglas?
400
(1923), Was born in Russell. He was a second lieutenant in the army during World War II and received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He served as a United States senator from 1969 to 1996. (Hint: His last name is the same as a pineapple.)
Who is Bob Dole?
400
Born Rafael Aguilera in Mexico in 1886, He immigrated to the United States 1909 for a better life. He changed his name so as to get work as a Blacksmith for the railroad or risk being deported. He helped establish the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, and developed his own line of Mexican food products, such as chili pepper.
Who is Pedro Lopez?
400
These brothers were born in 1931 & 1938, and were founders of Pizza Hut, Wichita, Kansas.
Who is Dan and Frank Carney?
400
(1888–1954), He was a founder of Russell Stover Candies, Alton, Kansas.
Who is Russell Stover?
500
(1917-2000), A Pulitzer Prize-winner for her 1950 book Annie Allen, she was born in Topeka to a former schoolteacher and the son of a runaway slave who fought in the Civil War. She went on to become a famous poet.
Who is Gwendolyn Brooks?
500
(1890-1969) He grew up in Abilene. He served two terms as president of the United States. (Hint: His last name is the same as one of the middle schools in Topeka.)
Who is Dwight Eisenhower?
500
A Topeka banker and businesswoman, was the first female appointed U.S. Treasurer. The theater in Washburn University is named after her.
Who is Georgia Neese Gray?
500
(1925–2005), A voice actor and baritone voice of the Jolly Green Giant commercials, St. Francis, Kansas.
Who is Elmer Dresslar, Jr.?
500
(1915–1989), He was inventor of the ICEE frozen drink, Barnes, Kansas.
Who is Omar Knedlik?