The Ritchie House

Join us this coming Sunday at 3pm April 19th for an interesting presentation about the old county poor farm located at 300 NE 43rd where the Shawnee County North Community center is now located. Learn the history of the Shawnee County Poor Farm as Shawnee County Society trustee Devin Cooper tells you about its past. Nestled against the banks of Indian Creek, Shawnee North Park was originally established in 1871 as the Shawnee County Poor Farm. Over its 150-year history it has housed hundreds of people and was an important institution for Topekans and individuals living in Shawnee County. This presentation explores the park’s history, beginning with its roots in the Civil War and until its doors closed in 1942. Explore a bygone institution with connections to other important Topeka hospitals and parks. Donations of $5 are encouraged.

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Join Us this coming Sunday February 1st at 3pm at 1118 SE Madison as the Shawnee County Historical Society presents Steve Berndsen who will discuss the Tuberculous clinics of Shawnee County. A photograph of the Hillcrest Tuberculosis Sanatorium located at 1800 East 21st Street is pictured below and may stir some memories of the area. Overall, TB cases declined sharply in the 20's as improved hygiene and education reduced the number of cases throughout the United States. In November 1944, after an agreement between the city of Topeka, the Topeka Tuberculosis Association, and the Kansas State Board of Social Welfare, Hillcrest became a division of the Kansas Sanatorium for Tuberculosis at Norton, Kansas. Today the location for the Hillcrest Community Center is a swimming pool on 21st. Join us for a good discussion of what it was like in the late 40’s. Let me know if you want to attend by zoom and I will send you a link. I also hope to have a Facebook Live camera up and running and you can join us on the Shawnee County Historical page.