Hangouts change; students' needs stay the same
By Jamie Knodel
Special to the Kansan
As University of Kansas alumni filter back to Lawrence for this homecoming weekend, not all of their old hot spots are still hot or still standing.
Although student hangouts have come and gone, a few KU haunts transcend generations and still attract students.
Hangouts have long distracted students from their studies.
When Sue Farley, class of 1958, was a KU student, she said that the social focus was not on drinking.
"KU having a reputation as a party school is something new," she said. "When I was there, KU was the study school, MU was the party school."
The Wagon Wheel Cafe, also known as The Wheel, was a favorite in the '50s. The environment and the location made it an attractive place for students to get together. Farley said.
"Students did not have cars to take them here or there, so they were limited as to what was the closest place to walk," she said.
Farley said that most students lived on campus and that The Wagon Wheel Cafe, at 507 14th St., was just a short walk away. If students craved hamburgers and french fries, they had many options. Big Buy Burger, 2300 Iowa St., now Furrs Cafeteria, was the most popular hamburger stand in Lawrence, Farley said. Moore Burger, at 1414 W. Sixth St., was a
competitor for students' appetites then, but now the location houses American Family Insurance and Vanity Beauty Shop.
Things were different in the '60s, when most college students still had to be in by midnight. Although the administration attempted to put a damper on late-night activities with a campus curfew of 11 p.m. throughout the week and 12:30 a.m. on weekend: Loneta Schmollinger, class of 1969, said she managed to go out and still avoid being locked out of her dorm.
Drinking was legal at 18 and was widely accepted, Schmollinger said. Wednesday night was the big night on the town, and much of the action took place at Massachusetts street locations. Voo Doo Hut, 1009 Massachusetts St., now Louise's, was not much more than a crowded basement with a bar, but usually drew large crowds. The biggest crowd, however, was always at the Red Dog Inn, she said.
"It was just a typical bar, beer served in pitchers, popcorn on the table, but they always had live music," Schmollinger said.
Live music such as Ike and Tina Turner drew in crowds.
When the music stopped playing at the Red Dog Inn, 640 Massachusetts St., Liberty Hall Theatre moved in.
When students could find a way to go some place other than the Massachusetts Street hangouts, Schmollinger said
"KU having a reputation as a party school is something new. When I was there, KU was the study school, MU was the party school."
Sue Farley KU alumna, class of 1958
the Tee-Pee was often their first choice. Although it was out of town, on Highway 40, it still managed to draw a lot of students.
"Maybe it was because of the fact that the bar was inside of a teepee-shaped building that made it fun," Schmollinger said.
The Tee-Pee is still there but is now part of the KOA Campgrounds.
For KU students in the '60s, it was not hard to choose where to go for late-night food. There just were not many options.
"Everyone went to Joe's Bakery late at night. It was the only place open where you could get food." Schmolinger said.
Joe's is still on Ninth Street but ownership has changed since the '60s.
Steve Wyman, class of 1976, was not looking for doughnuts late at night. He only craved one thing — the Vista Burger basket. So, Vista Burger, now Quick's Bar-B-Q, 1527 W. Sixth St., was
where he went. Wyman wasn't alone, he said.
"Everyone went there for munchies after the bars closed," he said.
Susie Briley, class of 1974, said she could remember another hamburger joint that came alive after the bars' closing times. Griff's Burger Bar, 1618 W. 23rd St., had a fun atmosphere because of the phones in each booth that customers used to call in their order directly to the kitchen, she said. Today, Pat's Blue Rib'n BarbeQue occupies the lot.
Wyman said he spent a lot of time at the Dugout, 925 Iowa St., in what is now Fifi's Restaurant. The Dugout had more than just drinks. It also had early computerized baseball games.
"I probably went to the Dugout more than I went to class," Wyman said.
Briley's husband, John, class of 1976, was more faithful to his hangouts. He said that Louise's, then at 1017 1/2 Massachusetts St., was about the only place he ever went, because of its large drinks called schooners. Louise's has since moved down the street, and International Beadtrader is at its old location.
Although Louise's was his favorite, John Briley said he managed to make it to The Flamingo, 501 N. Ninth St., a few times while at the University. "The Bird," as it is still known, is a 21 club.
"It was different from the other bars, because they had drink specials, and about all you could get everywhere else was tapped beer," John Briley said.
Homecoming 9
The Hill
Friday, October 23, 1998