Honoring the heritage at the Cuevas-Balandran Activity Center

Nestled in Oakland, East Topeka, just across the Kansas River, lies the Cuevas-Balandran Activity Center. Right beside Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, this center serves as a lively hub for culture and history. Its walls now burst with vibrant visual stories of Mexican American heritage and the community’s journey.

I was fortunate enough to experience it in person.

The mural, titled “Our History” was painted by Andy Valdivia, a Topeka native and parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It narrates over a century of Mexican American experiences, from the Aztec era to present-day Topeka. The artwork includes familiar faces like Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, as well as local landmarks and businesses. Valdivia’s work is deeply rooted in community stories, enriched by his discussions with older parish members and his own research.

Yet this mural doesn’t just look back—it invites us to remember why Topeka became what it is in the first place.

The city’s name is derived from a Kansa word meaning “a good place to dig potatoes,” reflects its agricultural roots. For many Mexican families, the Union Pacific Railroad was central to their livelihoods, shaping the community. It brought opportunity, stability, and connection. It’s no coincidence that many locals can trace their roots to those early days of working the rails, laying track not just across Kansas soil but into the heart of Topeka’s identity.

The Cuevas-Balandran Activity Center is a vital hub of the Mexican American community in Topeka. Beyond its artistic significance, it hosts cultural, educational, and community events and will be the centerpiece of the upcoming Fiesta Topeka, kicking off the week-long activities this weekend.

On the day of my visit, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of those stories in the mural—the ones passed down through the decades and anchor the history of Topeka. This isn’t just art. It’s testimony.

Since moving to Kansas, I’ve been spending time exploring Topeka and discovering its many hidden treasures. To learn more about the city and surrounding areas, take a look at my “Exploring Topeka” and “Kansas Adventures” tags for related posts.