The Civil War Muse

Lawrence Visitor Information Center

Tour Stop

Directions: When you visit Lawrence, the Lawrence Visitor Information Center [ Waypoint = N38 58.706 W95 14.060 ] is a good place to start, for there are quite a few tour stops in the Lawrence area. The visitor center is located in the restored Union Pacific Depot just north of the Kansas River at the corner of Second and Locust streets in Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

• From the Capital of Kansas Historical Marker in Topeka, head south on Topeka Boulevard.
• After 0.5 miles, turn right (west) onto SW 37th Street.
• After about 0.1 miles, take a slight left to merge onto I-470 E heading towards I-335.
• You will be taking two cloverleaf on ramps before you get headed east on the Kansas Turnpike (I-470) heading towards Lawrence and Kansas City.
• Stay on the Kansas Turnpike which turns into I-70 just east of Topeka.
• After about 27 miles, take exit 204 and head south on US Highway 40 / US Highway 59.
• Please note that there was construction in April 2010 that had closed exit 204. This would require taking exit 202 into Lawrence. If this is the case, take McDonald Drive south to 6th Street. Then drive east on W 6th Street until you reach N 2nd Street. Turn left (north) and go across the river to Locust Street. Turn right on Locust and you should see entrance to the visitor center on the left.
• After about 1 mile, turn left (east) at Locust Street. The Visitor Center will be the first left after turning onto Locust Street.
• Please note that there was construction in April 2010 that did not allow a left hand turn from N 2nd Street onto Locust. To avoid this, turn left (east) onto Lincoln Street about 0.75 miles from the turnpike exit . Take the second right to head south on N 3rd Street. After about 3 blocks, turn right onto Locust Street right after crossing the railroad tracks. The visitor center should be the first right after turning onto Locust.

Description: Inside the visitor center you will find a number of brochures about Lawrence and its role in Bleeding Kansas. In particular you should obtain a copy of the Self Guided Tour: Historic Cemeteries Tour of Lawrence – This brochure will help you when you visit Oak Hill Cemetery.

From the visitor center's website:

“The restoration of Lawrence’s Union Pacific Depot in 1991 symbolizes the community’s commitment to preserving historical sites. In 1996, the depot opened as the Visitor Information Center operated by the Lawrence Convention & Visitors Bureau. The center distributes information to visitors about Lawrence attractions, accommodations and special events. Five different self-guided tours are also available at the center; Quantrill's Raid: The Lawrence Massacre, Home Styles of Old West Lawrence, Historic Trails of Douglas County, Historic Cemeteries Tour of Lawrence and In Plain View - A self guided tour of Historic Old East Lawrence. The Lawrence Visitor Information Center shows a 27 minute docudrama called "Lawrence: Free State Fortress." the film chronicles the first 10 years of Lawrence's history and culminates with Quantrill's Raid of the city in 1863. The film is shown by request. There are also DVD and VHS for sale. For information about the renovation of the Union Pacific Depot drop by the Visitor Center.”

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