1874
Gower – Bowersock – Hill
Two events in the year 1874 laid the foundation for the economic revival of the city after several years of serious decline. The first was the completion in November of the dam that was to provide the cheap source of power that led to the city’s industrial development during the next quarter of a century.
The second significant event of 1874 was the founding of the Douglas County Mills (later renamed the Bowersock Mills and Power Co.) by the arriving family of James H. Gower and his son-in-law Justin D. Bowersock. The latter became a leading citizen of the town, mayor, congressman, banker (The Lawrence National Bank), industrialist (the Lawrence Paper Company, the Consolidated Barb Wire Co., and the Bowersock Mills & Power Co.) and a philanthropist who founded and supported, among other city cultural activities, the Bowersock Opera House.
Step Sponsored By: Marcia and Stephen Hill