Tennessee Town Neighborhood: Phase I Historic Resources Survey

Destefano, Jaime

From Introduction and Methodology: "Initiated by the City of Topeka, this historic resource study is Phase I of an effort to identify and survey all properties within the historic Tennessee Town neighborhood in Topeka. This project strives to gain a greater understanding of the historical development of the neighborhood and to identify individual resources or groups of resources that may be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The City established boundaries for two distinct phases for the historic resources survey, separating the neighborhood into north and south sections. In 2018, the City contracted JLD Preservation Consulting to conduct the first phase of the intensive-level survey, which includes approximately ten city blocks comprising the northern portion of the neighborhood from SW 10th Street, south to SW Munson Avenue (formerly King Street). The greater Tennessee Town is a residential neighborhood located less than one mile west of the central business district of Topeka. Tennessee Town initially developed as an African American community associated with the Exoduster movement from 1879 to 1881. Today, the neighborhood is a diverse community with an impressive collection of residential architecture that reflects its transformation from a small settlement of Exodusters in 1880s to a cohesive, working class neighborhood throughout the 20th century. ...In November of 2018, JLD Preservation Consulting conducted the intensive-level field survey, documenting all resources, regardless of age, from the public right-of-way. High resolution digital photographs of each resource and streetscape photographs were taken during the field survey. Field observations were recorded, focusing particularly on the building materials, architecture types and stylistic elements, and degree of historic integrity. The field survey was conducted block-by-block, and each vacant parcel or parking lot noted on the field map. Each primary resource was assigned a Survey Sequence Number, which was later keyed to the survey map. ...An analysis of the survey data was conducted by JLD Preservation Consulting to identify trends in development by construction date, building types/forms, architectural styles, and degree of integrity. Individual properties were then evaluated for eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Groups of well-preserved resources were further evaluated as a potential historic district." Project funding was provided in part by a Historic Preservation Fund grant to the Kansas Historical Society administered by the State, Tribal, Local Plans and Grants division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior (grant number P18AF00077).

Tennessee Town Neighborhood: Phase I Historic Resources Survey

Collections