Historical Markers and War Memorials in Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence is the county seat for Douglas County
Lawrence is in Douglas County
Douglas County(106) ► ADJACENT TO DOUGLAS COUNTY Franklin County(18) ► Jefferson County(15) ► Johnson County(105) ► Leavenworth County(106) ► Miami County(26) ► Osage County(10) ► Shawnee County(88) ►
Touch name on this list to highlight map location. Touch blue arrow, or on map, to go there.
Beginning in 1849, there plodded up the southern slope of Mount Oread a vast emigration bound for the golden land of California. One branch of the great California and Oregon Trail thus passed over the very ground now part of the university . . . — — Map (db m77573) HM
Coffin Sports Complex was built in 1981. It has an Olympic-size swimming pool, racket ball courts and basketball court. It currently is the home for the American Indian Athletics Hall of Fame. Coffin Complex is named after Tony Coffin, . . . — — Map (db m77301) HM
Known as "Phog" for his foghorn umpire calls and "Doc" for his osteopathic skills ("I won more games at the training table than on the sidelines"), Allen was KU's head basketball coach from 1920 until his retirement in 1956.
Truly a great . . . — — Map (db m54541) HM
The Haskell Bandstand, (now called the Gazebo) was built in 1908 after the previous bandstand was destroyed by a wind storm. Music was an enjoyed student activity. The bandstand was used frequently for concerts in the early days. The bandstand is . . . — — Map (db m77382) HM
During the weekend of October 27th to 30th, 1926, Haskell Institute hosted a celebration and dedication to the newly constructed football stadium and Arch. (Donations for the construction of the stadium came from all over Indian Country. Haskell . . . — — Map (db m77303) HM
Haskell Institute circa 1903
The road going into the Haskell grounds, from the left side of picture, is the current Barker Ave. The buildings from left to right are: Hiawatha, Superintendent’s house, Osceola, Sequoyah (far background . . . — — Map (db m77318) HM
This project is dedicated to those who were here first.
Haskell Indian Nations University campus is a unique and special place. Please, respect these grounds and buildings as you walk around campus.
From 1884-1890, the school’s official . . . — — Map (db m77379) HM
The first three buildings on the Haskell grounds are from left to right: Osceola (boy’s dorm), Sequoyah (the schoolroom), Keokuk (girl’s dorm).
Location of the original three buildings, overlaid on top of current building locations. The yellow . . . — — Map (db m77383) HM
Haskell’s destiny in becoming a four-year university for native students has a history to be preserved and shared.
In 1890, Haskell Institute became the official name. Several years passed before classes were offered beyond the . . . — — Map (db m77381) HM
In Honor of the 415
“Haskell Warriors”
that served in
World War I
and in memory of
those ‘Warriors’
who made the
supreme sacrifice
for their country.
Rededicated
October 13, 2001.
75th Anniversary
The . . . — — Map (db m77316) WM
Hiawatha was a legendary Native American leader and co-founder of the Iroquois Confederacy. Depending on the version of the narrative, Hiawatha lived in the 16th century and was a leader of the Onondaga in the New York area. Hiawatha was a . . . — — Map (db m77384) HM
This memorial commemorates the conflict that began on June 25, 1950 when North Korean military forces crossed the 38th Parallel and launched a massive invasion of South Korea. Responding to pleas for help by the Government of the Republic of . . . — — Map (db m77589) WM
Between Lawrence and Topeka, the Kansas turnpike passes near the route of the old Oregon-California Trail, traveled in the 1800s by explorers, missionaries, soldiers, emigrants in search of land, and forty-niners in search of gold. Fifteen miles . . . — — Map (db m103242) HM
Tecumseh Hall was built in 1915 for use as the boys' gymnasium. Today, the first floor has a basketball court and is, also, used for other campus activities and events.
The Indian Leader newspaper and Student Activity offices are located in . . . — — Map (db m77305) HM
The Haskell Cemetery has approximately 100 students buried here. The child’s name, tribal affiliation, date of birth and death are engraved on their headstone. Some of causes of death were listed as consumption (Tuberculosis), pneumonia, . . . — — Map (db m77300) HM
The Original Bandstand was located approximately in this area between the old Winona and Osceola Halls. It was destroyed in a wind storm in 1906 or 1907. — — Map (db m77325) HM
Erected on the "Victory Highway," U.S. 40,
at the Leavenworth / Douglas County Line
as a memorial
to those from Douglas County who died
in World War I
Relocated to this site in 1980
Cast under the direction of
Dr. Thomas F. Roberts . . . — — Map (db m77571) WM
[American Indian woman sculpture with eagle feathers attached to United States Armed Forces emblem medallions as well as service emblems on wall behind sculpture] — — Map (db m77567) WM
Free government does not bestow repose upon its citizens but sets them in the vanguard of battle to defend the liberty of every man.
[Roll of 277 KU Honored Dead]
[Cast bronze door panels, dedicated 1955, read]
Achievement • Courage • . . . — — Map (db m77594) WM
Born in Halstead, Kansas, of German emigrant parents Sept. 2, 1901, he was quite proud that he was a full-blooded German.
Rupp graduated from Halstead High School and then attended the University of Kansas where he played basketball under Coach . . . — — Map (db m54601) HM
Three Sport Letterman, All American 1919
Coach at Northwestern University 23 years
Helped organize first NCAA Basketball Tournament
University of Kansas Athletic Director 1950-1964
Manager of the 1960 U.S. Olympic Basketball Team, Chairman . . . — — Map (db m54594) HM
(Front Inscription):
Dedicated to the memory of the one hundred and fifty citizens who defenseless fell victims to the inhuman ferocity of border guerrillas led by the infamous Quantrell in his raid upon Lawrence. August 21st, 1863. Erected . . . — — Map (db m20091) HM
Emporia, Kansas is Dean Smith's birthplace. After completing school in Emporia and Topeka, he came to the University of Kansas where he played under Coach Phog Allen. Dean played on the National Championship team, the 1952 team which beat St. . . . — — Map (db m54602) HM
As a University of Kansas student in 1905, Phog Allen played basketball for the inventor of the game, Dr. James Naismith. His performance produced three Letters from 1905-1907 and earned him a place on the roster of the K. C. Athletic Club. . . . — — Map (db m54599) HM
Born November 6, 1861 in Almonte Ontario, Canada and died November 28, 1939 in Lawrence, Kansas. Buried in Lawrence Memorial Park.
Dr. Naismith invented the game of basketball as a winter indoor sport for the YMCA at Springfield, Massachusetts . . . — — Map (db m54545) HM
This fountain is dedicated by the Woman’s Relief Corps Number 9, Department of Kansas, Auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic as an enduring memorial of perpetual service to the living, in loving remembrance of Comrade Robert S. and Mary J. . . . — — Map (db m77863) WM
University of Kansas Basketball Coach 1984-1988. Every team during his tenure advanced to the NCAA Tournament, twice to the Final Four His 1988 team won the National Championship, beating Oklahoma 83-79. His 1986 team's record was 35-4. — — Map (db m54596) HM
main marker
For God And Country
Dedicated to those War Veterans that never returned
Picture of American Flag on a flagpole
The Five Seals of the Armed Forces of the United States — — Map (db m21478) HM
Abolitionist John Speer established a farmstead on this site shortly after his arrival in Kansas Territory in September 1854. A newspaper publisher from Pennsylvania, Speer became a part of the struggle to bring Kansas into the Union as a free, . . . — — Map (db m37581) HM
Constructed in 1912 for Perkins Loan and Trust Company 1912-1914
Kansas Electric Power Company (later Kansas Power & Light) 1924-1960
Douglas County Title Company 1977-1996 — — Map (db m76298) HM
This circa 1866 building is reflective of commercial Victorian architecture
Location of boot and shoe shop, grocery, agricultural implement dealer, and cigar shop
Charles Achning established a hardware store here by 1886. Business retained . . . — — Map (db m76171) HM
Constructed ca. 1866 to house Sutliff Clothier. This typical commercial block held Hutson Bakery 1886-1893, Anderson Confectionary 1893-1913
Facade altered in early 20th century — — Map (db m76297) HM
Designed by John G. Haskell and Fredrick Gunn in the Richardsonian Romanesque style
Constructed by the firm of Cuthbert and Sargent of Topeka, KS 1903-1904
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places — — Map (db m50843) HM
This marks the site of the Free State Hotel erected in 1855 by the New England Emigrant Aid Society. Destroyed by Sheriff Jones and his posse May 21, 1856, and rebuilt by Col. Schaler W. Eldridge. Quantrill and his raiders destroyed Lawrence August . . . — — Map (db m20397) HM
Built 1858-1860 for Josiah Miller Survived Quantrill's Raid, August 21, 1863. Facade altered 1921. Jacob House and descendants, clothiers, occupied this site 1862-1935. — — Map (db m76208) HM
On the afternoon of September 14th, 1856, the Free State settlement of Lawrence, Kansas Territory was threatened with invasion by an army of 2700 Pro-slavery Missourians under the command of Generals David R. Atchison and John W. Reid. Encamping . . . — — Map (db m76325) HM
Many Lawrence residents, including perhaps Langston Hughes, spent pleasant hours reading and fostering their love of books in this Carnegie Library. As the famous writer and poet wrote:
"...When I was in the second grade, my grandmother took me . . . — — Map (db m54572) HM
Constructed 1903-1904
This Carnegie Library housed the
Lawrence Public Library 1904-1972
Designed by George A. Berlinghof
in the Beaux Arts style
Rear addition was a 1937 Works Progress
Administration project
Andrew Carnegie . . . — — Map (db m54570) HM
Constructed late 1860s.
Alexander Marks, jeweler, was an early occupant
This building, now reflective of Mission style, housed dry goods, drugs, and jewelry businesses and several barber shops.
Alfred A. Lawrence Photography Studio . . . — — Map (db m76209) HM
The Herald of Freedom,
Abolitionist Newspaper
published on this site 1855-56
Site of Liberty Hall,
Lawrence's first opera house 1870-1911
The Bowersock Opera House
(Liberty Hall), built in 1912
Designed by Samuel B. Tarbet & Co. . . . — — Map (db m54573) HM
This building has housed a variety of commercial enterprises since the mid 1860's including a grocery, clothier, and tobacco shops
Sol Marks began operating a jewelry store on this site in 1880 — — Map (db m76172) HM
Built for Josiah Miller, Free State Party activist and Lawrence's first state senator
Construction began late 1850's; partially destroyed during Quantrill's Raid; reconstruction completed 1864
Third floor served as early meeting hall . . . — — Map (db m76296) HM
Barteldes Seed Company
1888-1963
One of the first sites rebuilt after Quantrill's Raid in 1863
Interior destroyed by fire 1997
Restored 1997-98
Though modified several times,
the Italianate store front
retains many original . . . — — Map (db m76303) HM
Building constructed in 1866 to house a drug store founded by B. W. Woodard in 1855
Oldest drug store in Lawrence and Kansas in continuous operation. — — Map (db m76185) HM
Historic South Park was the first park of Lawrence and part of the original townsite that was founded in 1854. The park was originally used as a public area to grow crops and graze livestock for the City's residents. It is the most historic park . . . — — Map (db m76603) HM
The Fraternal Aid Society built a three story building on this site in 1904
Fire substantially destroyed the structure in 1930
Standard Mutual Life Insurance Company reconstructed this Renaissance Revival style building and occupied it from . . . — — Map (db m88887) HM
1869
In 1869, General John N. Roberts, a Civil War veteran, and his wife Emily, moved to Kansas and established their business and family in Lawrence. The Robertses [sic] had one daughter, Isabella, affectionately called "Belle." Roberts . . . — — Map (db m77559) HM
The curved brick wall to your right is the outside wall of our twenty-five ton wood-fired oven. The masonry circle continues inside the bakery. The oven itself is from J. Llopis of Barcelona, Spain, and was built on site by master craftsman Manuel . . . — — Map (db m54567) HM
Wiedemann's, a popular candy and ice cream store, operated on this site from 1886-ca.1943
Prominent social center, tea room and dance hall
The Jay Shoppe Ladies fashions 1952-1989 — — Map (db m76168) HM
Welcome to historic Lawrence, Kansas, and its Visitor Information Center in the centuy-old Union Pacific Depot. Lawrence was founded in 1854 by antislavery forces determined to see that the newly opened Kansas territory joined the union as a free . . . — — Map (db m50819) HM
Recognizes the extraordinary sacrifices of ordinary citizens - men and women of Douglas County, Kansas who gave their lives to protect freedom, our community and our way of life. It stands as an eternal symbol of hope, renewal and the indomitable . . . — — Map (db m50822) WM
Buford M. Watson, Jr. was Lawrence City Manager for nearly 20 years until his untimely death on October 25, 1989. During his tenure, accomplishments included the beautification and revitalization of the downtown, numerous public parks and recreation . . . — — Map (db m77569) HM
The Pinckney neighborhood at the bend of the Kansas River began in 1854 as part of the original Lawrence townsite. North/South streets to the west of Massachusetts St. were named for states in the order in which they were admitted to the United . . . — — Map (db m63895) HM
Lawrence was established in 1854 by the Emigrant Aid Company, a New England organization formed to prevent the new Kansas territory from becoming a slave state. When the first legislature enacted the so-called Bogus Laws with severe penalties for . . . — — Map (db m20460) HM
This cemetery, known originally as Oread, was opened in 1854 by the New Englanders who founded Lawrence. Following burials in 1882, Oread fell into disuse. In 1928, the City of Lawrence changed the name to Pioneer Cemetery.
The marble obelisk . . . — — Map (db m20474) HM
