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“I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience.
I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past.”
– Patrick Henry
in his Give Me Liberty or Give Me
Death speech of March 23, 1775
Contained herein is but a small collection of histories that have helped shape, guide and mold the City of Lawrence since its founding in 1854. Each history represents people, families, organizations, businesses and important accomplishments in the history of Lawrence as a community. Each represents a step to the present day – a step in time – sharing the experiences of those walking the path of life.
The histories also represent those who took a civic pride in recognizing Lawrence during its sesquicentennial celebration. Led by the Sesquicentennial Commission, history took a new form in 2004 and three years later the fruits of its labor were realized in the dedication ceremony of Sesquicentennial Point and its Walk through Time on Wednesday, October 24, 2007.
The Point is a tribute to the community by the community. All told through its fund raising efforts, the Sesquicentennial Commission raised more than $214,000 to develop the space in commemoration of 150 years as a community.
The Point’s centralized meeting place is a plaza overlooking the beauty of Clinton Lake and the Wakarusa Valley. One common point stands out in the plaza – a step. This step represents a starting point, the foundation of Lawrence as a community. Following the pathway of steps down the hill, one experiences a
brief snapshot of the rich history of Lawrence. Pausing along the path, one finds dates symbolizing beginnings or the commemoration of special occasions.
Currently, the final, paved step on the path represents the year of Lawrence’s sesquicentennial celebration. It is at this point history lies to the unknown future ahead, a field untouched, full of possibilities.
To the west of the 2004 step is a Time Capsule, sponsored by Larry McElwain and Phillip Padden of Warren-McElwain Mortuary of Lawrence. In this large vault are mementos Lawrence citizens placed there in 2004. The vault, sealed until 2054, will be opened in Lawrence’s bicentennial celebration.
The City of Lawrence and the Parks and Recreation Department, would like to thank the Sesquicentennial Commission for their unbridled passion to see this project through to its completion and to the many donors who provided the funding to see this space commemorated in honor of community, providing as Patrick Henry said, the lamp of experience for future generations to know the past, so they can understand the future.
–Roger Steinbrock
Lawrence Parks & Recreation