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This week we take a look at one of the most iconic buildings in downtown Topeka, Kan. – The Jayhawk Tower office building.
Originally built as the Jayhawk Hotel and Theater in 1925-1926, the hotel opened to rave reviews at the time.
Thomas H. Williamson & Co. were enlisted as the architects on the project and the Shell Construction was hired to erect the 12-story, 170-foot tall Beauz Arts style skyscraper at 700 S.W. Jackson.
The hotel played host to numerous celebrities of the day as well as well-known politicians who were speaking on the stump or visiting the state capitol in Topeka.
The hotel features a huge restaurant on the second floor that still exists and operates as a well-known lunch and reception spot.
The most prominent features of the hotel are the twin, 35-foot tall neon Jayhawk signs on the roof.
During the the mid 1970s, the hotel closed and was converted to private office space in 1982, the same year it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The two Jayhawk signs underwent an extensive restoration in 1999 and were repainted again in 2010, according to the building’s manager.
This postcard was published by the Zyrcher Photo Company of Topeka and was mailed on April 30, 1943, by PFC Joseph Konrath, 170th QM Co (Quartermaster Company) 321st Service Group, stationed at Forbes Army Air Base in Topeka.
The card was sent to Miss Carol Ficz of Chicago, Ill. The message reads: “Hello Carol, How are you and how is Rollie getting along? He got in a pretty nice spot, he hasn’t much to worry about. Annette would like to know what her boys said about not being around work and coming down to see me! Drop us a card and let us know if everything is ok. Annette won’t be out here very long, she needs a little vacation anyhow. She will be back in a week or two. Annette says hello to all the girls down at work and she’ll see them soon. Best, Annette and Joe.”
Michael Bushnell
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