Over its 160 years, Topeka Cemetery has become the final resting place of more than 35,000 souls, including many founders of the city and state, those forward thinkers who worked to make Topeka the state capital, who built a university, who brought prosperity to the plains with railroads and manufacturing. Their descendants have taken those legacies and continue to work to make Topeka prosper.
From its chartering in 1859, Topeka Cemetery has welcomed all. Designed as a non-profit, all proceeds have gone back into the care and improvement of the grounds. The Crane family directed cemetery operations for the first 100 years with the assistance of a board of directors. Today, the cemetery belongs to the people who own spaces – who collectively are the Topeka Cemetery Association. A volunteer board of directors from this body runs cemetery operations.
Funds for operations come from three main sources: sales, a stipend from the City of Topeka, and interest from the perpetual care fund, which is held in trust at Kaw Valley Bank. The city contribution helps ensure continued private operation; if the cemetery was to default, the city would be required by state law to take ownership.
Historic Topeka Cemetery’s caretakers remain committed to respectful maintenance and preserving memories for generations to come.
Check out the Find a Grave here!
For more specific questions or concerns regarding the event at Topeka Cemetery please contact topekacemetery@gmail.com.