Topeka is the capital of Kansas and the seat of Shawnee County. From its initial population of nine settlers, Topeka has grown into a major city of about 126,000. Topeka's impressive skyline is set amidst rolling terrain and trees, and bordered on the north by the Kansas River.

The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 created the Kansas territory and stipulated that the issue of slavery would be decided by those residing there. Several abolitionist organizations in the North, in particular the New England Emigrant Aid Company, dispatched thousands of settlers to Kansas to insure that the vote would make it a free state. One of these settlements, Lawrence, was founded by Dr. Charles Robinson.