10E
Wednesday, August 19, 1992
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
historical markers in Lawrence
Makers around the world
in Massachusetts, east side
First two story house: 1000
floor in New Hampshire, 1000
square feet.
First Lawrence home of
First Governor Robinson. 3100 block of
First University Church. 933
Ohio, in corner of yard.
First Mediathletic Church, on
Northwestern Bell Telephone
Plymouth Congregational Church, plaque inscribed "Plymouth Street Free State and Exchange Houses on Exchange Hotel, east side of Plymouth Street"
First Settlement, Robinson Park,
intersection of 8th and
Massachusetts Street
Four people from Quincy's
suburb on the south side of 7th
Street
Burial scene of 150 victims of Quanah Spring and Oak Hill Cemetery in which shot in Quanah Spring, 300 block of New Hampshire, west side
Sean M. Tevis/ KANSAN
Source: A Guide to Historical Markers, Lawrence, Kansas
Historical Lawrence viewed through monuments, plaques
By Christina Slape Special to the Kansan
To get a glimpse of what small-town prairie life was like in the 1800s, Lawrence historians erected plaques and monuments that have stood the test of time.
"They tend to disappear rather than multiply," he said.
In 1976, author John Peterson mapped out the historical sites in his Guide to Historical Markers, Lawrence, Kansas. He said that he was not aware of any new markers since the guide was published.
The markers Peterson mapped out still are there. In addition, four new markers, all commemorating the site of the old North College, were erected last year in the center of the circle drive of Gertrude Sellards Pearson-Corbin Hall.
Besides the four old North College markers, three others were erected in the early 1900s on the University campus.
South of Fraser Hall and just a few steps north of the Pioneer statue is a granite plaque that reads: "Site of barracks and trenches 1863." According to Peterson's guide, two
companies of U.S. soldiers were sent here in order to protect Lawrence from pro-slavery raids similar to Quantrill's raid. They built their barracks and mounted cannons on this southeast edge of Mount Oread.
The two other markers commemorate the Oregon Trail and a portion of undisturbed prairie, the last untouched acre of the original 40 acres donated to the University by the City of Lawrence.
The Oregon Trail monument consists of two plaques set in a large stone at West Campus Road and Jayhawk Boulevard, north of Lindley Hall. The oblong-shaped marker is inscribed: "Beginning in 1849 three 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 campus and many a camp fire gleamed on summer nights from the crest where now throngs of students travel."
On the round marker is a picture of two men guiding a covered wagon.
is near the sidewalk south of Blake Hall. The acre is surrounded by a stone wall.
Other monuments around Lawrence honor the sites of the first houses, churches and hotels. Some of the older ones honor the victims of Quantrill's raid.
The marker for the acre of prairie
A coffin-shaped monument in Oak Hill Cemetery is dedicated to 150 victims of "border guerrillas led by the infamous Quantrell." Contrary to the better-known spelling, Quantrill has an "e" on the marker. Historians have said that this monument was placed over or near a mass grave for many victims of the raid. It was erected in 1895 by a committee of Lawrence citizens.
A marker in the 900 block of New Hampshire Street was erected at the site where recruits were shot during Quantrill's rill. Another, on Seventh Street, marks the site where four other men were shot during the raid.
Most of these markers were erected by the KU department of history in the first half of the century. Others were erected by community organizations or individuals.
Guest house a home to some a means to a living for others
By Silvia Peralez Special to the Kansan
To a casual observer, the small limestone building partially hidden from view by the towering scholarship halls and the Chancellor's residence hardly merits a second look. But to many dignitaries, guests and lecturers who visit the University of Kansas, this small guest house is a welcome respite from impersonal hotels.
The house, built in 1925 from limestone left over from the construction of a retaining wall behind Miller and Watkins Scholarship Halls, was originally used as a garage and servants' quarters by the owner of what is now the Chancellor's residence.
The owner, Elizabeth Watkins, died in 1939 and bequeathed both structures to KU. In 1952 the building was remodeled and became the official University guest house.
The guest house, which is the upstairs, has one and a half bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen and a living room. The building's basement is an apartment occupied by a married graduate student couple, who maintain the property in exchange for free use of the apartment and free tuition. Their duties include greeting
and assisting guests, lighthousekeep ing tasks and fixing breakfast for guests. The current occupants are Frank Doden and Lori Askeland, graduate students and graduate teaching assistants in English.
The couple said the guest house had developed a favorable reputation among those on the lecture circuit.
"Many guests have been really thankful and happy to stay here again. They have said it is more appealing and comfortable than a hotel," Aske兰 said.
Former guests have observed that although other universities offered guest housing, the furniture was too elegant to sit on. They said they looked forward to returning to what they saw as the homier atmosphere of KU's guest house.
Doden and Askeland have been guest house caretakers since 1989.
Askeland said that the caretaker's position seemed like an interesting job and that this prompted their application for the guest house caretaking fellowship, offered by the Office of Research, Graduate Studies and Public Service. After going through a screening process and being interviewed by Gretchen Budig and Tom Berger, acting director of affirmative
action, they were chosen to fill the position.
"It's been a very nice position to have," Askeland said.
They have had the opportunity to meet and visit with a variety of interesting people.
Some guests, in appreciation for the hospitality they received, have presented the couple with small gifts, often produced on the spot, such as a watercolor and a cartoon featuring the artist. A university official from Germany sent Askelan a scarf with that school's insignia.
Doden and Askeland said the 1991-1992 year was their busiest, averaging at least one guest a week. During their tenure, they more famous tenants have been African-American activist Angela Davis; Betty Shabazz, Malcolm X's widow; Bill Curtis of CBS; writer Ellen Goodman and U.S. Attorney General William Barr. Guests before their tenure have included Ralph Nader, Sandra Day O'Connor, William Rehquist, Alexander Haig and Gerald Ford.
Any department wishing to use the guest house should contact Jim Scaly, assistant to the chancellor, for reservations.
Danforth Chapel has served KU campus, students, couples for nearly half a century
By Richard Mancinelli Special to the Kansan
On April 2, 1944, in Hoch Auditorium Chancellor Deane W. Malott spoke to students who had been released early from class to hear his address about the new campus chapel.
"The University is lucky to have the chapel as a center of emphasis for Christian living for which this University has stood throughout its history." Malott said, according to a November 1944 graduate magazine.
Building a campus chapel was prompted by a $5,000 donation from William H. Danforth, the co-founder of Ralston Purina Co. of St. Louis.
Before his death in 1958, at the age of 85, Danforth had provided funds for more than 15 campus chapels through his foundation.
the chapel had begun its service a couple of weeks earlier. On March 20, 1944, Leone Sandow and Robert Fisher were the first couple to get married in Danforth Chapel. By that same time the next year, 75 couples had been married there.
Though Malott spoke to the students about the new chapel in April,
Situated in the middle of campus between 14th Street and Lilac Lane, the small chapel was designed by Edward W. Tanner, a Lawrence native and the first graduate of the KU architectural engineering program. Tanner also designed buildings for the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Mo.
The limestone for Danforth was supposed to have been taken from the campus, but the native stone proved too hard to shape. The stone actually was transported from an area along Highway 40 between Lawrence and Topeka by 15 German prisoners of war assigned to the University for the construction of the chapel.
Along with his $5,000 gift, Danforth stipulated that the vestibule include a stone tablet stating, "Dedicated to The Worship of God With the Prayer that Here In Communion with the Highest Those Who Enter May Acquire the Spiritual Power to Aspire Nobly, Adventure Daringly, Serve Humely."
Initially the chapel was open 24 hours a day, but things began disappearing. After several robberies, the original intention of a 24-hour private meditation place for students was changed. Today chapel hours are 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Campus groups can reserve the chapel up to one hour a day and up to three hours a week during these hours: 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 10 p.m. Though religious ceremonies are given priority, any campus group can reserve the chapel through the Organizations and Activities Center.
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Welcome Back!
KU Gamers And Roleplayers welcomes all gamers to its first meeting Wednesday, August 26th at 6 pm in the Frontier Room of the Burge Union.
We have a large 2nd edition AD&D following and we also support many other games such as Star Trek, Psyberpunk, Danger International, Rifts, Champions, Vampire, etc.
We encourage all who have an interest in these and any other unlisted games to show up and get acquainted to the already well established KUGAR membership.