Old Hometown

Local writer Sarah St. John pulls from the Journal-World archives to compile reports of what it was like to be in Lawrence decades ago.

25 years ago: Architectural firms interviewed for depot renovation project

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for July 9, 1990:Interviews with five local architectural firms were to begin in mid-July as progress continued toward renovation of the Union Pacific depot in North Lawrence. The Depot Management Board, which was overseeing fundraising for renovation of ...

100 years ago: Postmaster apologizes for rain-soaked mail

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for July 9, 1915:"If you find your letters unsealed and your packages watersoaked, blame it on the weather. All mail that came into Lawrence from the east and had passed through the storm district around St. Louis, is in bad condition, owing to the terrible ...

25 years ago: Commissioners to make county funding decisions

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for July 8, 1990:Douglas County commissioners were planning to hold a budget work session to consider preliminary funding levels for outside agencies and programs that received county funds. The funding levels were to be included in the overall recommended ...

25 years ago: Merchants object to road signs leading shoppers to Riverfront Mall

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for July 7, 1990:Although they were already in place, Lawrence city commissioner this week said it was time for the commission to "consciously" decide whether the city should allow signs on public rights of way directing people to the Lawrence Riverfront ...

100 years ago: Finance commissioner reminds residents to pay poll tax

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for July 7, 1915:"Mr. Citizen, says Commissioner of Finance Holyfield, if you haven't paid your road tax, sometimes called poll tax, you had better get busy, or I'll have to set the officers on your trail. The road tax is $3 for every man over 21 years old ...