Lawrence, KS
Travel just 40 miles west of Kansas City on I-70 and you'll find a town, Lawrence, ranked by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of the "Dozen Most Distinctive Destinations" in 2000, touting it as "one of the most well-preserved and unique communities in the United States." Nestled amidst the rolling hills of Northeast Kansas, this college town of more than 80000 is home to the University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University. Founded in 1854 by the New England Emigrant Aid Society in an effort to keep the territory free from slavery, Lawrence is said to be one of the only US cities founded strictly for political reasons. During the Civil War, Lawrence was home to many Abolitionists and Free Staters. It was a town representative of anti-slavery sentiments, making it the target of several attacks by pro-slavery bushwhackers. On August 21, 1863, the infamous Quantrill's Raid resulted in the deaths of more than 150 unarmed Lawrence men and boys and nearly destroyed the young city in what has become by historians as one of the worst atrocities of the Civil War. As a result, Lawrence has evolved into a melting pot of ideas and styles, artists and scholars, past and present. Meander along Massachusetts Street and you'll soon see why "Mass. Street" has been called one of America's most authentic main streets. The five-block downtown district is lined with century-old buildings, eclectic boutiques, tempting sidewalk cafes, curious antique shops and a <b>...</b>
Lawrence Kansas college university of kansas civil war abolitionists free staters anti-slavery massachusetts street mass. boutiques cafes antiques art galleries studios live music dole institute
