Lawrence
Lawrence,
Kansas claims nearly 30 square miles in the lush region along the banks of
the
Kansas and
Wakarusa rivers. Located in scenic
Douglas County, Lawrence lies twenty miles east of
Topeka and less than fifty miles west of Kansas City. Lawrence operates as an independent city and remains the
principal community in the Lawrence Metropolitan Statistical Area.
This striking river city holds a population of 80,098 (Census
2000 data), and ranks as KS’s sixth largest city. Lawrence has the
distinguished honor of serving as the seat and center of commerce for
Douglas County. Lawrence features a downtown area unparalleled in its
beauty, earning it a ranking among the “Dozen Most Distinctive Destinations” by
the
National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Massachusetts Street, called “Mass” by the locals, displays numerous antique
shops, bars, boutiques, galleries and a diverse array of restaurants and
sidewalk cafes. The
Free State Brewing Company, located in a quaint trolley station downtown,
was the first legal brewery opened in KS in more than 100 years. The site
opened in 1989. Riverfront business establishments in
Lawrence enjoy
hydropower provided by
Bowersock Dam, the only hydroelectric plant in Kansas.
Music plays a leading role in the lively downtown atmosphere. In 2005, the
New York Times stated that Lawrence provides “the most vital music scene
between
Chicago and
Denver”. In addition to live music venues located throughout the city,
Lawrence is home to the
Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival. This annual four-day festival, held in
Clinton State Park, features an eclectic blend of musical artists. The
North vs. South Music Festival, hosts upwards of four dozen bands and
includes spirited Civil War battle reenactments.
Home to
Haskell Indian Nations University and the
University of Kansas, Lawrence features all the customary amenities of a
vibrant college town. The University of Kansas features famous athletic teams,
such as the
Kansas Jayhawks, and several museums. These include the
Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics and the
Spencer Museum of Art. A half-dozen locally owned coffee shops, a quirky
library, two microbreweries and a thriving art scene earned Lawrence a listing
among the
nation’s “Best Lil’ College Towns” by
Rolling Stone Magazine in 2005.
Clinton Lake offers boating, camping, fishing, golfing and swimming. Hikers
and mountain bikers also enjoy the convenient trails located along the lake and
local rivers.
Lawrence Arts Center provides cultural and recreational indoor activities
for the community.
This captivating city enjoyed national attention in the 1980s, when a movie
called
The Day After, filmed in Lawrence with the help of many local individuals.
This TV movie originally aired on the ABC network, but later enjoyed a run in
movie theaters all over the
nation. More recent television shows that feature scenes from Lawrence
include Jericho and Supernatural.
Lawrence,
Kansas, a liberal college town with a rich heritage, offers a top-notch
education, music concerts, and Civil War themed vacations as a matter of course.
More information about Lawrence, KS.
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