Massachusetts Street: Lawrence, Kansas

Summary

Walk down Massachusetts Street with someone familiar with its history and the story that unfolds is one of perseverance and resolve. Originally settled prior to the Civil War, the town's main street was burned to the ground and left a pile of ashes by pro-slavery raiders in 1863. They targeted the city for its abolitionist stance and its participation in the Underground Railroad that aided escaping slaves. Slowly, Lawrence rebuilt itself and Massachusetts Street as Douglas County's primary commercial and social area.

Designated Area

Approximately six blocks between 6th Street to the north and South Park to the south.

A change from a four-lane highway to a two-lane right-of-way in 1974 allowed for saw-tooth parking and landscaping on both sides of Massachusetts Street. Looking south from City Hall, a gentle upward slope affords views of South Park. Photo courtesy of the City of Lawrence.

Planning Excellence

Walk down Massachusetts Street with someone familiar with its history and the story that unfolds is one of perseverance and resolve. Originally settled prior to the Civil War, the town's main street was burned to the ground and left a pile of ashes by pro-slavery raiders in 1863. They targeted the city for its abolitionist stance and its participation in the Underground Railroad that aided escaping slaves. Slowly, Lawrence rebuilt itself and Massachusetts Street as Douglas County's primary commercial and social area.

More than a century later, the street was the focal point of another controversy. Dubbed the "Mall Wars," the issue involved proposals to locate several large shopping malls near the city. To ensure Massachusetts Street remained the backbone of the local economy, the proposed development was challenged and blocked in 1989 by a federal district court. The basis for the favorable court ruling were the 1977 Plan '95 and the 1982 Comprehensive Downtown Plan, both of which emphasized Massachusetts Street as the community's primary business district.

Built on a gradual grade, the street affords views of South Park and the nearby University of Kansas. Unbroken rows of historic two- and three-story buildings, some of which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, anchor the ends of each block between 6th Street and South Park. Locally owned shops and restaurants with names such as Free State Brewery and Liberty Hall reflect the city's turbulent history, as do two permanent sculptures, The Flame and Freedom.

Massachusetts Street's success is largely attributable to residents' strong sense of community pride and unwavering resolve — undiminished community hallmarks since Quantrill's Raid in 1863.

Wide sidewalks easily accommodate street-side dining and pedestrians. Photo courtesy of the City of Lawrence.

Defining Characteristics, Features

Importance of Planning, Preservation

• Leadership of city manager and downtown advocate Buford Watson and $300,000 urban-renewal grant (1974) reconfigured Massachusetts Street from four lanes to two with diagonal parking, trees and shrubs, and safer pedestrian access
• Gerald Cooley, attorney for city during shopping malls dispute: "[Lawrence] could not have won this case had we not had a long-range downtown plan in place."
• Lawrence Preservation Alliance formed 1984; instrumental in encouraging city to adopt 2001 Downtown Conservation Overlay District and Design Guidelines
• Large portion of downtown area listed as a National Register of Historic Places District in 2004
• Design guidelines updated in 2009; refined the design review process for the National Register District, new construction and exterior building alterations
• Downtown Area Design Guidelines mandate zero building setback along street

Historic Heritage

• Integral part of Downtown Lawrence Commercial Historic District; 2004 added to National Register of Historic Places
• Lawrence founded in 1854 by anti-slavery New England Emigrant Aid Society settlers from Massachusetts (the street's namesake)
• National Register Historic District includes 108 properties along designated blocks; four buildings individually listed in the National Register; 82 buildings contribute to district's historic designation
• Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St., is the most famous landmark, built 1904 and added to National Register 1975; imposing three-and-a-half story native limestone Romanesque Revival structure with six-story clock tower; designed by noted Kansas architect John G. Haskell and Frederick Gunn
• Beaux Arts Bowersock Opera House (1911), 642-646 Massachusetts St., is listed in the National Register; currently houses fine arts theater and live music
• Second Renaissance Revival Eldridge Hotel (1928), 701-703 Massachusetts St., added to National Register 1986; five story, brick — one of tallest downtown
• Romanesque Revival Watkins National Bank building (1888), 1047 Massachusetts St., added to National Register 1971; city hall from 1929-1970; now a museum

Vibrant, Accessible Downtown

• Only two vacant lots along designated blocks — one is currently proposed to be an extension of the historic Eldridge Hotel, the other is a parking lot (across from Douglas County Courthouse)
• Four mid-block, brick-textured crosswalks (one along each block between 7th and 11th streets) lead to neighboring New Hampshire Street, Vermont Street, and parking; four bus stops along designated blocks
• Seventeen parking lots within one block of street; not visible from Massachusetts
• Nonprofit Downtown Lawrence, Inc. promotes interests of downtown district
• Dozens of special events held on Massachusetts Street every year, including parades, bike races, festivals, arts celebrations, running events, a large sidewalk sale by merchants, and University of Kansas Athletics events

Mid-block pedestrian passages connect Massachusetts Street to parking garages on New Hampshire Street. The passages are spiffed up with murals and landscaping, while some provide retail frontage. Photo courtesy of the City of Lawrence.

Amenities

• Distinctive anchors — City Hall and Kansas River (north), South Park (south) — mark core business area and contribute to sense of arrival
• Lawrence Arts Commission hosts annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition along street; two permanent sculptures at the corner of Massachusetts and 6th streets — The Flame (Lin Emery, 1981) and Freedom (Steven Johnson, 2004)
• Mature trees line the street; each block has four to eight pieces of street furniture; also flower beds, bike racks at each parking meter
• Japanese Friendship Park (11th and Massachusetts streets) developed as part of Lawrence's Sister City Program with Hiratsuka, Japan