Home › Kansas › Lawrence

Lawrence, Kansas

Located in Douglas County, Kansas, Lawrence was established in 1854. Quantrill's Raid of 1863 killed over 150 men and boys — one of the worst atrocities of the Civil War era. The term 'Jayhawk' comes from the Bleeding Kansas era, combining the jay (noisy bird) with the hawk (predator).

Founded 1854 | Population 100,000 | Peak 100,000 (2024) | County Douglas County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Lawrence, Kansas

undefined

1854Free-State Town: Founded by abolitionists during Bleeding Kansas.

undefined

1863Quantrill's Raid: Confederate guerrillas massacre 150+ men and boys.

undefined

1866KU Founded: University of Kansas established.

undefined

1942Military Presence: Military installations became a major part of Lawrence's identity and economy.

undefined

2008KU Basketball Title: Jayhawks win NCAA championship.

🧠

How Well Do You Know Lawrence?

5 questions • 2 minutes

Take the Quiz →

Complete Historical Timeline

1854 Politics

Free-State Town

1863 Disaster

Quantrill's Raid

1866 Culture

KU Founded

1942 Government

Military Presence

2008 Sports

KU Basketball Title

Did You Know?

Quantrill's Raid of 1863 killed over 150 men and boys — one of the worst atrocities of the Civil War era.

The term 'Jayhawk' comes from the Bleeding Kansas era, combining the jay (noisy bird) with the hawk (predator).

Lawrence was a center of the abolitionist movement before the Civil War.

Lawrence is located in Douglas County, Kansas.

Lawrence was founded in 1854.

Famous People from Lawrence, Kansas

Erin Brockovich

Businessperson, Jurist · Born Jun 22, 1960 · Age 65

Delbert Mann

Film Director, Film Producer · Born Jan 30, 1920 · Died Nov 11, 2007 (age 87)

Bart D. Ehrman

Writer, Theologian · Born Oct 5, 1955 · Age 70

Danny Carey

Drummer · Born May 10, 1961 · Age 64

Alvan Adams

Basketball Player · Born Jul 19, 1954 · Age 71

See something that needs correcting?

We take accuracy seriously. Help us keep Lawrence's history right.