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What Did Topeka Rename Itself?

Published in City Renaming 2 mins read

Topeka, Kansas, temporarily renamed itself Google. This was a distinctive move aimed at attracting a major technological initiative to the city.

The Temporary Renaming of Topeka

In a notable demonstration of its enthusiasm for technological advancement, Topeka, Kansas, undertook a unique, temporary name change.

  • New Name: For a period, the city officially adopted the name "Google."
  • Duration: This symbolic renaming lasted for one month.
  • Key Figure: The initiative was spearheaded by Mayor Bill Bunton, who played a pivotal role in this friendly gesture.
  • Purpose: The primary goal behind this renaming was to attract Google's then-new Google Fiber project, an initiative to bring ultra-high-speed internet infrastructure to select U.S. communities.

A Friendly Gesture for Technology Advancement

The renaming of Topeka to Google was a lighthearted yet strategic move in a broader competition among cities vying to become the first locations for Google's advanced fiber optic network. By temporarily changing its name, Topeka aimed to stand out and clearly signal its readiness and eagerness to embrace cutting-edge internet technology. This act was widely recognized as a creative way to garner attention and showcase the city's commitment to innovation and progress, highlighting its desire to provide its residents and businesses with state-of-the-art digital infrastructure.