National Register of Historic Places

Old Lawrence City Hall

Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas
Listed
February 23, 1971
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
71000311

About this property

The Watkins Museum of History is a museum in Lawrence, Kansas that is managed by the Douglas County Historical Society. It provides programs and public events, educational resources and activities, and changing exhibits about the heritage of Douglas County. In 1888, Watkins National Bank opened at 11th and Massachusetts. Founded by Jabez B. Watkins, the bank would last until 1929. Watkin's wife Elizabeth donated the bank building to the city to use as a city hall. By 1970, City Hall had moved to a new location and after extensive renovations, the Watkins Building reopened in 1975 as the Elizabeth M. Watkins Community Museum. It was later renamed the Watkins Museum of History. According to the museum's website: "A classic example of the Richardsonian Romanesque influence on Kansas’s architecture, it was considered one of the most magnificent buildings west of the Mississippi River at the time of its construction."

Location

1047 Massachusetts St.
Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas
38.96416, -95.23470

Categories

ARCHITECTURE
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Land
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The Civil War
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The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
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Settlement
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The Community
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Rivers & Rail
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Notable People
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Finds & Access
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Nearby Historic Sites

Douglas County Courthouse
Industrial
0.1 mi
North Rhode Island Street Historic Residential District
Listed
0.1 mi
First Methodist Episcopal Church
Industrial
0.2 mi
Snow House
Industrial
0.2 mi
Oread Historic District
Listed
0.2 mi

Nearby Battles

Quantrill's Raid on Lawrence Kansas
1863Civil War
0.5 mi
Quantrill's Raid on Lawrence
1863Civil War
0.5 mi

Questions about this property

When was Old Lawrence City Hall listed on the National Register?

Old Lawrence City Hall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 23, 1971.

What type of historic resource is Old Lawrence City Hall?

Old Lawrence City Hall is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Old Lawrence City Hall?

The period of significance for Old Lawrence City Hall is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Old Lawrence City Hall?

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