University Place was platted in 1887. At that time a proposed streetcar system was planned on Illinoir, Louisiana 17th and 18th streets. The neighborhood platting survived, but the streetcar plan languished until about 1913 when the KU line was extended down Mount Oread going east on 17th Street to Tennessee Street. For years this area was considered the south side of Lawrence.
In the early 1950’s when the Lawrence school board purchased forty acres for the present high school, they were criticized because they had acquired too much land too far from the center of town. Since then Lawrence has grown and the neighborhood enjoys the close proximity to downtown and the University.
Veteran’s Park at 19th and Louisiana is now a park with tennis and basketball courts, but after World War II, student housing was erected there for veterans studying at KU. It is also the location of a garden featuring roses in honor of Lawrence’s sister city of Eutin, Germany. UPNA members regularly pick up trash in the park. It is also the location of an annual barbecue that takes place each fall.
Below is a photo of the display that was dedicated on Sunday, August 24, 2008.
Pictured above are from left to right:
Lou and Lorraine Hammer, Lyman Wiley and Jack Starkey who were residents of Veterans Park when it was temporary barracks housing after World War II.
Dedication of the display.
