25 years ago: Lease to city might save North Lawrence depot

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Oct. 24, 1987:

  • Local preservationists on the Save the Depot Task Force had been working with representatives from Union Pacific Railroad and the City of Lawrence to rescue the historic UP depot from oblivion. Voicing their concerns about the depot’s location close to a curve in the tracks, UP officials had announced in 1984 plans to demolish the building. The railroad had announced in April that it would consider leasing the depot to the city rather than forcing it to be moved from its location. The stone building at North Second and Maple streets, built around 1889, was one of North Lawrence’s most significant landmarks.
  • Some Lawrence merchants were gearing up for one of the high points of their retail year — Halloween. Costume-shoppers had been visiting the Etc. Shop, Barb’s Vintage Rose, and Fun and Games, among other stores, to put together their unique look for upcoming parties. Popular characters this year for adults included Tammy Bakker, Madonna, Freddy Krueger, and television host Elvira. Characters from E.T. and the Star Wars movies were also selling well. For little girls, princesses and ballerinas were a perennial favorite; little boys were “harder to pin down” according to a local retailer.