One of the first stops of our vacation was the Evel Knievel Museum in Topeka, Kansas. Evel was not from Topeka, but the big red Mack truck he toured in was restored in Topeka, which is how the museum ended up there, attached to a Harley-Davidson dealership.
I was too young to remember most of Evel Knievel’s career and only remember seeing one of his jumps live on television, but everyone knows Evel Knievel’s name, which when I was a kid was synonymous with any daredevil act. He certainly inspired a generation of kids to build shoddy bicycle ramps with as much speed as possible, successful landings be damned.
The museum takes visitors chronologically through Evel’s professional career. Each section contained the the motorcycle and outfit he wore for the jump, along with videos of the jump and information to read. There were probably a dozen motorcycles and outfits on display.
One of the most unique and memorable vehicles on display in the museum was the X2 Skycycle, a steam-powered cycle Evel used to jump the Snake River Canyon. It is one thing to watch some random guy on television risk his life to jump something, but to actually stand next to it and imagine sitting inside that thing and launching yourself over a canyon is something else.
Toward the end of the museum was a large display of toys and merchandise with Evel Knievel’s name. Evel was one of the first celebrities to market his own likeness, and over a period of about five years it netted him millions of dollars. Along with all the toys (yes, there are stunt cycles there!) there were bed sheets, shirts, slot machines, a pinball table, and even a ceiling fan with Evel’s name and likeness printed on it. It’s tough to imagine anything related to Evel Knievel that wasn’t on display at the museum, to be honest.
The Evel Knievel Museum wasn’t on my bucket list to see, but we had a good time walking through the space and by the end of out visit we were ready to go out back, look for some spare wood and nails, and build a sweet launch ramp. The museum has filed official paperwork and plans to relocate to Las Vegas in 2023 or 2024, so I’m glad to see it before it moved.
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