August 5, 1890 - Lawrence, Kansas newspaper reports "late night trashy mandolin music" being played in the downtown park.
It was, of course, what's now called South Park. How do I know this? I researched the information years ago as part of the music web site I run for a living. See:
http://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/thisday/browse?search=trashy
South Park... one of the places that makes Lawrence special. Home to Art in the Park, candlelight walks for so many causes you can't count them, weddings in the gazebo (I've played music for more of them than I can count). Home to the Lawrence City Band concerts every Wednesday all summer long. The kiddie pool (how I miss those days and all of the young hot moms and their toddlers... oh... is this on the internet? oops...). The playground, the Kansas State Picking and Fiddling Championships, the Dog Frisbee competition, Octoberfest. Where the Wednesday night bike club meets before they take off,
I could go on. I think I will.
Hey there on eBay. Yes, you can find a postcard of the original gazebo from the 1800s. Pricey, they are. I know. I bought one. The park is an important part of the earliest Lawrence history. A great place for intoxicated musicians in the 1800s or serious artists of 2014. It serves us all this wonderful public space.
Got a few hours? Bring a book down on a nice evening, park on the gazebo and read a bit, look up once in awhile to take in the scene. Or bring down a blanket and make a temporary home under a tree. Heaven. Every town should be so lucky to have a park that rivals this one. read more