From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Jan. 29, 1975:

The Douglas County Bicentennial Commission was to hear reports this week on projects and a possible source of additional funds. Carol Francis was scheduled to report on a county historical marker project, Don Schaake on a Shawnee County survey of old buildings, and Jed Davis on a logo for the commission. W. S. Robinson, Kansas University history professor, was to discuss possible funding through national art and humanities endowment groups. Funding had been a major concern for some committee members. County Commission Chair Arthur Heck had said earlier that he was “very, very certain” that unless the planners could raise more funds, “it’s not gonna be much of a celebration.” Both Heck and Charles Stough, bicentennial commission chair, noted that not only had the city’s centennial celebration in 1954 had been financed entirely with private donations, but there had been enough left over to purchase the land for Centennial Park and donate it to the city.