Disclosure: Explore Lawrence sponsored this post. However, all opinions and photographs are my own.

Having lived at one time in my life in Lawrence, Kansas, I returned for a visit to study the town’s history and to experience the events surrounding the Civil War on the Border. The experience helped me better understand how significant figures in the state’s history shaped the town during the era known as Bleeding Kansas.

Prior to the Civil War, feuds between pro-slavery Missourians and anti-slavery Kansans raged, erupting in Lawrence in 1863. Confederate leader William Quantrill led a band of 400 men on horseback to attack the men and teenage boys. They burned homes and businesses to the ground. Some totals report that over 150 people were killed. Those who escaped death hid in cornfields or underground. Their accounts of that day tell the story.

Lawrence is a thriving town, rebuilt itself on more than one occasion from conflict. The college town is home to the University of Kansas. Downtown businesses include eclectic eateries, breweries, boutique shopping, taverns, and bars. But many of the town’s original buildings remain as a testament to the town’s will to survive, including The Eldridge Hotel.

LODGING

THE ELDRIDGE HOTEL

I jumped at the opportunity when Explore Lawrence invited me to stay overnight in Lawrence to learn more about the town’s historical value. I had been inside The Eldridge Hotel on more than one occasion and even hosted my college graduation there, but I had never experienced it as a hotel guest.

Originally built in 1855 and called the Free State Hotel, it was one of the tallest most beautiful buildings in town. Unfortunately, its fate was doomed.

In 1856, the hotel was burned to the ground by pro-slavery forces. Later rebuilt by Colonel Eldridge it was destroyed again in an 1863 attack. Quantrill and his men rode into Lawrence and burned much of the town to the ground.

Like a phoenix, the hotel rose from the ashes when it was rebuilt.

The hotel is considered haunted. Hotel employees have seen Colonel Eldridge’s ghost sitting in an original hotel chair in storage. A photograph taken in the lobby shows a ghostly spirit standing in the lobby’s elevator. Room 506 is considered to be the most haunted guest room in the hotel, and it is considered the colonel’s favorite spot. Of course, I requested room 506 for my overnight stay.

Having lived in a haunted house on Kentucky Street during my college years, I was prepared to experience unexpected noises. Later in the evening, after returning to the room and just in time to escape a raging thunderstorm outside, the ceiling fan’s lights flickered multiple times.

Was it his ghost? The next morning, I discovered my new laptop’s battery was dead. I had charged it to full power before arriving at the hotel. Was it the ghost’s way of letting me know its presence? I’ll let you decide. I didn’t sleep soundly that night.

In 1932, the Bonnie and Clyde Gang stayed at the hotel and later robbed the bank across the street. They fled across state lines without issue. According to an article on The Eldridge’s website, the gang made off with over $33,000. You can read more about the hotel’s history and ongoing renovations here.

The hotel serves as a venue for guests who want to celebrate weddings, reunions, and private gatherings for up to 180 guests. The ballroom pictured below includes original crown molding, archways with windows, and crystal chandeliers. The hotel’s concierge wanted to show us other rooms of historical significance, so he took us to a few private areas not open to the public.

We entered what looked to be a boiler room of sorts that included a narrow, steep staircase without a railing. It was time to scale the stairs to see Colonel Eldridge’s favorite chair first-hand. I climbed the stairs steadying myself with my hands upon each stair. There it was! A dusty ornate chair that many employees say they’ve seen Eldridge sitting on smoking his pipe. Would you want to see the chair for yourself?

All in all, my stay at The Eldridge was exceptional. The hotel stay went above and beyond to cater to my curiosity about the hotel’s history by taking me on a guided tour and telling me the background story of many of the black and white photographs hanging in the lobby.

The hotel bar staff was hospitable and welcoming. My room, although haunted, offered stunning views of downtown Lawrence on the anniversary eve of Quantrill’s Raid on Lawrence. By all accounts, it was a delightful stay that I’d recommend anyone experience.

HISTORIC TOURS

BLEEDING KANSAS BUS TOUR

On Saturday afternoon, we gathered with others at Watkins Museum of History (1047 Massachusetts St.) for the Bleeding Kansas Bus Tour. Our first stop took us to the Robert H Miller Home and Farm (111 E. 19th St.) in East Lawrence.

Miller was an Underground Railroad conductor who hid runaway slaves on his 160 acres of property. Miller, a successful farmer, built the home in 1858. The Oregon Trail lies directly in front of the home, making it a high-traffic area. Slaves were trying to get freedom to Topeka and other northern territories like Canada. The Millers provided them with temporary shelter and food.

Quantrill and his men rode up to the house with 400 men on horseback on their way from the town of Franklin to raid Lawrence on August 21, 1863. He was recognized by one of the Miller daughters. She greeted him. He and one of his men most likely stayed overnight at the home weeks earlier during a scouting mission.

Quantrill and his men acknowledged the daughter and then left. They killed a nearby cow farmer and went to Lawrence to kill more men. Why didn’t Quantrill kill the Millers? Perhaps because they remembered them fondly from an earlier encounter.

Now, the home is a private residence, but the homeowners often host guided tours of the property.

The second stop on the bus tour took us to the Grover Barn (2819 Stonebarn Terrance), an underground railroad station on the south side of the town built in 1858. When Abolitionist leader John Brown made his final journey through Kansas, the Grover Barn was where he stopped.

During our tour, an actor playing the role of John Brown told us the story of the Grover Barn. There, Brown traveled with a slave family on their way to find safety and freedom. The limestone barn is considered one of the best-preserved Underground Railroad sites and is listed on the Lawrence Register of Historic Places.

Take a look at the walls in the photo below. The crudeness of the limestone barn’s construction is awe-inspiring. I encourage you to visit the historic structure to see the hand-hewn wood beams up close. In 1980, the City of Lawrence repurposed the building to use as a fire station and later for storage. Today, the preserved barn is a historical location of pre-Civil War significance, and where Brown and freedom seekers stayed during their journey.

The final stop of the Bleeding Kansas Bus Tour took us to the Spencer Museum of Art (1301 Mississippi) on the University of Kansas campus. Our tour group had an early opportunity to view newly framed prints by African American Jacob Lawrence. The screenprint series “The Legend of John Brown” chronicles John Brown’s life.

Was he a martyr or a religious zealot? The 22 screenprints depict Brown’s life choices to lead anti-slavery troops to maintain Kansas as a free state. Often, Brown’s tactics included violence, which many say helped spark the Civil War. “The Legend of John Brown” print series collection is displayed in a small gallery.

Also on display was a lithograph by John Steuart Curry, created in 1939. The famous image shows Brown’s arms outstretched with a tornado and wildfires in the distance. Some say these images were depicted as a prelude to the Civil War. Contact the museum for details regarding touring the collection. Admission to the Spencer Museum of Art is free. Plan your visit here.

WATKINS MUSEUM GUIDED TOUR

After the bus tour, I met an employee of Watkins Historical Museum (1047 Massachusetts St.) for a private tour of the iconic building. Built in 1975 by JB Watkins as the Watkins Land Mortgage and National Bank Building, it is an artifact of an earlier time in the town’s history.

The building’s founder loved ornate architecture and the finest materials available. The building is a masterpiece, with its marble staircases, salvaged stained-glass windows, hand-carved woodwork, and marble mosaic flooring. The bank originally functioned as a place where farmers came for land loans. Later, it was donated to the city and was used as the City Hall until 1970.

For the last 10 years, Watkins Historical Museum has been welcoming visitors to tour the building and its permanent exhibits for free. Four smaller rotating exhibits are updated about every six months. The permanent collections’ themes range from Lawrence’s history to University of Kansas basketball to pioneer life artifacts.

The space in the photo below is part of Watkins’ original office, which still includes his fireplace, bank vault, and shutter-covered windows. Artifacts from his wife’s contributions to the University of Kansas are included nearby.

Elizabeth Watkins donated much of their wealth after JB’s death to build the Watkins Scholarship Hall and the Watkins Nurses Home. A considerable amount of the couple’s earnings was donated to the KU Endowment Association without instructions for its use.

An authentic electric car sits on display in one corner of the museum. The Milburn Light Electric car was owned by Lawrence resident Eleanor Henley, who used it to run errands in town. When you visit the car, look inside! It doesn’t have a steering wheel. How did Eleanor drive it? You’ll have to take a trip to the museum to find out.

Below are two significant items from the University of Kansas’ basketball program’s history. James Naismith used the desk in the Robinson Gymnasium on the KU campus. It most likely was also used by Forrest “Phog” Allen. If you open the desk’s drawer, you will see handwritten locker combinations, which may have belonged to the basketball players’ lockers. Allen designed the 1940s practice backboard to teach his students how to arc the basketball.

Other artifacts on display include a team jersey worn by Jawhawk Adrian Mitchell-Newell.

Individuals and groups are welcome to visit for self-guided tours, though the museum prefers to prepare for student visits. To find out more about visiting the museum and its collections, view their Facebook page.

DINNER

FREE STATE BREWING CO.

There is no better place on Mass Street in downtown Lawrence to enjoy a meal and a craft beer than Free State Brewing Co. (636 Massachusetts St). Kansas’ original craft brewery has been serving flagship beers, rotating seasonal selections, and limited selections for decades.

During my visit, I requested the John Brown Ale, but it wasn’t available. Instead, I happily settled for Free State Lager. I was happy to be back at Free State, where I used to frequent on Monday for $1-pint night during my college years.

Their menu has always featured dishes made with fresh ingredients, with flair. You won’t find standard pub grub at Free State. The menu options appeal to foodies who appreciate unique flavor combinations and the freshest ingredients.

We enjoyed the Filipino Egg Rolls with Sesame Chile Soy Dipping Sauce as an appetizer and shared the Nashville Chicken Mac and Free State Fish and Chips for dinner. I highly recommend stopping at Free State Brewing Co. for lunch or dinner during your visit to Lawrence. Although they are not hosting brewery tours now, you can check their Facebook events page for upcoming trivia nights or festival celebrations.

Locals and visitors alike love the brewery’s vibe. Limited patio seating allows patrons to watch Mass Street happenings with a beer in hand. You may find a street performer nearby playing music.

EXPLORING MASS STREET

BUILDINGS, SHOPPING, PARKS, DRINKS

The following morning, I rose early to walk the quiet streets of downtown Lawrence before the stores opened. I navigated to South Park, established in 1854,  just beyond 11th and Mass Streets. It is the town’s oldest park and a site that bore the brunt of Quantrill’s Raid. In later years, it became a picturesque setting for outdoor concerts, festivals, antiwar rallies, and women’s rights protests.

How could such a beautiful green space have once been the site of devastation? It’s hard to imagine, but it’s true. On the way there, I admired the Douglas County Courthouse (1100 Massachusetts St.) ‘s architectural features. The building was constructed in 1904, with a dedication a year later.

My explorations led me to Black Stag Brewery (623 Mass St.) for a cold one.  A massive space, it also includes a covered patio. It’s the kind of place where locals strike up conversations with you.

Stop in for a beer and stay for a grill-fired meal, or opt for a shareable platter.

Unsure what beer you want a pint of? Ask the bartender for samples. I enjoyed tasting the Mosaic Dream IPA and the 1865 Black Stag.

Eventually, I committed to the Founding Fathers’ Tavern Tale, which seemed an appropriate choice given my mission to uncover Lawrence’s history.When in Lawrence, I also like to revisit a few tried-and-true hangouts. Eight Street Taproom (801 New Hampshire St.) is an escape from the hustle of downtown and the heat of a Kansas summer day. The dark dive bar is a cool place to enjoy a beer or a cocktail, set to the sounds of indie music and a busy billiards table.

The downstairs bar opens after the sun goes down and often features live bands. It’s home to hipsters and townies who have been calling it one of their favorite bars for decades. You’ll appreciate their impressive beer collection.

CEMETERY TOUR

OAK HILL CEMETERY

Just as the evening was coming to a close, I joined a group of history fans at the Oak Hill Cemetery (1605 Oak Hill Avenue) to hear stories of early Lawrence and view the graves of victims from Quantrill’s Raid. It serves as a final burial spot for many, including 81 widowed women after the raid. Some notable people buried were Kansas politicians. James H. Lane was the first U.S. Senator from Kansas, and his grave was the first burial monument added to the cemetery (pictured below).

With flashlights in hand to guide the way after sundown, our group listened to a Watkins Museum of History curator recount the details of those who lost their lives in the raid.

If you visit the cemetery, look for The Citizen’s Memorial, which reminds you of 50 unidentified men and boys who died during Quantrill’s Raid. To view these graves and others like it, use this map to locate Section 1 and Section 2.

DRINKS 

JOHN BROWN’S UNDERGROUND

My final stop for the evening was for craft cocktails at John Brown’s Underground (7 E 7th St). After entering this basement bar, I realized it was unlike any “typical” college town establishment. One detail that defines it differently from other bars in the area is that John Brown’s Underground requires reservations for indoor seating.

The space transports you to a surreal environment with low lighting, mood music, and a menu that reads like an excerpt from someone’s diary.

A friendly server helped me choose a cocktail recipe from a long list of options. Since it was the eve of the anniversary of Quantrill’s Raid, I chose the John Brown made from whiskey, rum, demerara sugar, and bitters. It was spirit-forward but smooth.

My boyfriend opted for the Fever Dream Nova gin cocktail with basil and mango. It came with Lemongrass Pop Rocks on the side. Both drinks came with a square ice cube embossed with a chair. Why a chair?

The chair symbol is a major part of the John Brown Underground story and aesthetic. For employees, many of whom had it tattooed on their arms, it represents the chair John Brown sat in while protecting enslaved people on the Underground Railroad. For them, it represents safety, looking out for one another, and a general sense of kindness. The employees are passionate about the tavern’s mission to create a welcoming atmosphere, best symbolized by the chair. When enjoying time at the bar, ask your server more about it.

DOWNTOWN HISTORICAL TOUR

QUANTRILL’S RAID WALKING TOUR

Intrigued about all I had learned about Bleeding Kansas, I attended Quantrill’s Raid Walking Tour hosted by local historian John Jewell the following morning. He led about a dozen of us around downtown Lawrence, starting at the Watkins History Museum and to the main locations where fighting and bloodshed took place during the raid.

A historical marker identifies the House Building. It was the only structure left standing on that black after the raid.

During the tour, Jewell pointed to buildings that were rebuilt after that fateful date in history. A post-raid campaign was the focus of community members who wanted to rebuild a shattered community. Lawrence’s downtown district is a testament to their will to survive.

BREAKFAST

LADYBIRD DINER

Hungry for breakfast before leaving Lawrence, we stopped at Ladybird Diner (721 Massachusetts St.). Sometimes, the places we stop to eat when on the road are not originally a part of the travel plan, and they turn out to be delightful. When in Lawrence, choose to start with breakfast, then follow it with a homemade pie at Ladybird Diner.

We enjoyed Avocado Toast with Scrambled Eggs and Huevos Rancheros with Corn Tortillas. With room left for dessert, I chose a slice of peach pie with a latticework crust. Beyond delicious. He said, “It’s one of the best breakfasts I’ve ever had.”

 

We enjoyed Avocado Toast with Scrambled Eggs and Huevos Rancheros with Corn Tortillas. With room left for dessert, I chose a slice of peach pie with a latticework crust. Beyond delicious. He said, “It’s one of the best breakfasts I’ve ever had.”

BONUS HISTORICAL STOP

KANSAS STATE CAPITOL (TOPEKA)

A visit to the Kansas State Capitol (SW 8th & SW Van Buren St., Topeka) wouldn’t be complete without viewing John Steuart Curry’s “Tragic Prelude” painting on display on the second floor’s east wing, featuring John Brown. This painting and others he did for the Capitol brought criticism, so the Kansas legislature caved to public pressure and demanded that the “marble panels not be removed and thus put an end to Curry’s rotunda murals” (Source: kshs.org).

Curry did not finish the paintings and left the statehouse murals unsigned. What do you think the images in the painting represent, given the turmoil of the time?

The original sword belonging to Brown is also on display in a rotunda room not far from the Kansas Constitution. It is part of a larger collection of artifacts that tells the story of when the Kansas Territory was established on the brink of the Civil War. We got lucky and visited the capital minutes before a guided tour was about to begin.

To view public viewing hours and tour information, visit this page. It is an impressive building worth viewing at least once in your lifetime, especially if you’re a Kansas native.

To truly understand a town’s existence, you must dive deep into its history books. Peruse its museums. Walk its streets. I invite you to travel to Lawrence and visit these historical places and the ones that welcome visitors today. It’s a town near and dear to my heart, and now I appreciate it that much more.

If you want to learn more about the best places to check out when in Lawrence, leave your questions below or head over to Explore Lawrence to plan your visit.