Mass. St Classics

classicsMassachusetts St.

& their Public Typography

When someone walks down historic Massachu-

setts Street in Lawrence, Kansas for the first time

they will immediately notice the unique charm

and personality that the heart of downtown has

developed. From shops, restaurants, music venues

and bars there is truly something for everyone.

And most importantly, always remember there is

more than meets the eye.

Lawrence was founded in 1854 by the New

England Emigrant Aid society with the hopes of

maintaining the territory staying free from slavery.

Because of this political affiliation Lawrence was

a target for many pro slavery groups, especially

being located close to the Missouri border. The

famous Quantril’s Raid took place Lawrence and

destroyed most of the city on August 21st, 1863.

The rebel guerrilla attack during the Civil War

burned the city to the ground. Lawrence was the

target because of its strong support of slave free

states and territories. But this only made the

town stronger and it has shaped how Mass street

has been constructed today. Many of the loca-

tions on Mass Street have a direct relation to the

rebuilding after the Raid. The typography of each

landmark has a connection with its past.

Massachusetts Street got its name because many

of the founders were originally from Massachu-

setts. Mass quickly became the main street and

the other streets were named after the remaining

states located in the Union. Locals now refer to

the downtown street simply as “Mass.”

Historic Massachusetts Street

600thblock

As the first block of Mass Street when enter-

ing town from the south end, it gives first time

visitors a feel for what downtown Lawrence is all

about. It hosts the first legal brewery in Kansas in

over a hundred years and it is also home to one

of the buildings with the longest and most varied

history in the downtown area which is currently a

movie theatre and music venue.

1989established

mass“because without beer, things don’t seem to go as well.”

636

F R E E S TAT E B R E W I N G C O .This block of Mass Street is home to the fi rst legal brewery in Kansas in

over a hundred years: Free State Brewing Company. As one of the most

popular destinations in Lawrence, they boast a large menu with a lot of

variety and of course their custom brewed beer.

Monday nights bring in the most college students due to the outstand-

ing beer specials. The bar tends to stay at least fi ve people deep on these

nights. On any given weekend customers need to make sure to plan ahead

to wait at least forty minutes for a table. Many choose to use the patio out

front to have a beer or two while they wait their turn to eat. If you are look-

ing for a fun atmosphere and good food and drink on Mass, Free State is

usually your best bet. It is popular among all of Lawrence’s residents.

Why is this a classic?

Free State has very distinct signage above the front

entrance and also a hanging sign with an old looking

image and calligraphic text reading “Free State” and

“Specialty Beers.” Their different marks are very rec-

ognizable throughout Lawrence. It is usually a daily

occurrence to see someone wearing a Free State

t-shirt in Lawrence.

The sign above the entrance uses a “3D” effect with

the bright gold text popping off its green background.

The font is a bold serif. Dark green and gold or a

deep yellow are the colors used for the branding of

the restaurant. The building itself looks aged and the

curved roof add to this. The signage contributes to

the personality of the building.

Free State has definitely embraced all that is Law-

rence in their branding and typography that is used

on their building. They have embraced being the first

legal brewery in Kansas as well as taking advantage

of the history that is part of Lawrence.

The original building that Free State is in used to be

a train and trolley station. It now holds the 14 beer

brewing barrels. Parts of the restaurant have been

restored to preserve its unique history.

There are three different main seating areas, four if

you include the outdoor patio. In addition to the main

level there is also seating upstairs in the restaurant.

The Free State Sign resembles the shape

of the top of the building. There are many

relationships within the typography and

architecture of the Brewery.

Stop in for an ice cold beer and a delicious meal.

“any type of entertainment one could want.”

L I B E R T Y H A L LAdjacent to Free State is yet another historical landmark on Mass: Liberty

Hall. This current day music venue has a 142 year history and has served

many different purposes. In the past it has been used for town hall meet-

ings, concerts, operas and a general meeting area for the town to use.

Today Liberty Hall serves as the only independent movie theatre in Law-

rence. They also have live music, along with a movie rental store. The

theatre sits on a corner and appears to take up a lot of the space along the

block. When you enter the theatre for the fi rst time it is surprising to see

how large it is. All of the different parts work together as a unit, though.


1911established

mass644“any type of entertainment one could want.”

Liberty Hall has had a strong impact on Law-

rence’s history, especially that of Mass Street.

It was originally built as the Bowersock House

in 1882 after J.D. Bowersock. He rebuilt this

landmark after the Sheriff of Lawrence burned

down the building that was originally in the

location a few years before. It was built for Op-

eras, but ended up being very multifunctional.

In 1911, it was burned down again.

After the fi re, a new Opera House was built

which cost the city of Lawrence a few thousand

dollars, it was very modern and up to date for

the time. It was three stories high and played

host to operas as well as other assemblies.

In the mid 1930s the Bowersock House changed

its name to Liberty Hall. There were a lot of

renovations done to the exterior and interior

of the building to become more updated. The

most signifi cant change of the building oc-

curred in 1980 with a huge renovation. Liberty

Hall is still one of the most unique buildings

on Mass Street and is a destination that many

remember when visiting Lawrence.

Liberty Hall’s Storied Past

Because Liberty Hall has multiple func-

tions, there are many different kinds of

unique typography on the windows.

Liberty Hall uses dark green canopies with a very

light yellow serif font for the rental store. The the-

atre has a marquee that appears to be very old and

rusted. They use individual letters which all have

their own characteristics and variations.

Even though the font is a sans serif, they still look old

and almost have an antique feel. When looking at

the marquee you get a feeling about it being old and

having been around for a long time.

Bands choose to play here for the unique

Lawrence atmosphere.

There is a lot of personality portrayed through the

marquee because you can tell that it has gone

through a lot over the years.

Even though the color is chipping away, you can still

tell some were originally a blue or red background

with the white capital lettering on top. The textured

feel of these letters adds to the building itself.

700thblock

The second block of Massachusetts street

plays host to one of the most historic

places in Lawrence today, the Eldridge

Hotel. It also holds one of the most

popular sporting good stores in town,

Francis Sporting Goods.

“where elegance and recreation meet.”

E L D R I D G E H O T E LThe historic Eldridge Hotel sits on this block. It was originally built in 1855

by settlers as the Free State Hotel. Over its storied past the Eldridge has

had several different names but always has been the premiere hotel in

Lawrence and a true landmark.

Its elegant typography plays into this distinguished feeling you get from the

hotel. The signage on the corner uses a very sophisticated and simple serif

font. It looks very clean and neat. This is a good feeling to get from a hotel,

especially for future guests. There is not very much typography on the

outside other than the menu and a specials board. They do however have

plaques that tell stories about the hotel’s history in the city of Lawrence.


established1855

mass701“where elegance and recreation meet.”

There are several historical

markers located on the

exterior of the Eldridge

hotel as seen above.

The Eldridge’s Paranormal Activity

It has been said on many occasions that the Eldridge

Hotel is haunted. Ghost Hunters have come in on

numerous instances to seek out the paranormal

activity that some believe has been present for years.

One thing is for certain, the Eldridge has a very

storied haunted past.

There is still a cornerstone from the original build-

ing that now resides in room 506. As a result of this,

many believe that this is the haunted room. There is

also a famous “ghost” picture taken in 1989 during

the Christmas season in the hotel lobby . While the

picture was being taken, the elevator door mysteri-

ously opened. In the photo there is a visible male’s

fi gure in the elevator.

The most recent ghost hunters to come in were the

Wichita based Paranormal Research Group. There

main goal upon coming was to capture audio from

the ghost trying to communicate. They were suc-

cessful and caught a man’s voice in the ballroom and

basement; along with shadows in room 506.

The most recent ghost hunters to come in were the

Wichita based Paranormal Research Group. There

the ghost trying to communicate. They were suc-

cessful and caught a man’s voice in the ballroom and

basement; along with shadows in room 506.

The most historic

corner in Kansas.

established1947

mass731“all the brands for all the sports.”

F R A N C I S S P O R T I N G G O O D SFrancis Sporting Goods is another store located on this block. They are

defi nitely the most popular sporting goods store on Mass Street. They carry

a lot of brands so no matter what you are looking for there is a good chance

you will be able to fi nd it there. Francis sporting goods t-shirts are also very

popular in Lawrence, especially with college students.

They use a bright red and white color palette with a friendly lowercase serif

for the name in their logo. This is very attention getting and nearly impos-

sible to miss. They also have lights in their window with all of the brands

that they sell for potential customers to see.


This building was originally called The

House Building and it was the only struc-

ture on Mass to survive Quantrill’s Raid.

Over 60 years of kickin’ Mass!

800thblock

This block holds another set of two Lawrence

landmarks that have made their mark on the

street and the community; the Sunflower

Bicycle Shop and Ernst and Sons Hardware.

“one of the best bike shops in the nation.”

S U N F L O W E R B I K E S H O PSunfl ower Bike Shop is a favorite among Lawrence residents and the logo

is one of the most recognizable around town. They have expanded their

inventory and now have athletic biking apparel as well as countless types of

bikes, which can also be custom made.

The text has a hand written feel and it is all contained in an oval shape.

They also use signs in the store windows that look hand painted such as

the “open” sign and another reading “Sunfl ower Outdoor Bike.” This per-

sonalization really makes the store community friendly and inviting.

During Quantrill’s Raid this location was the Merchants Ridenour and

Baker. They were among the fi rst to rebuild in 1863 in the aftermath of the

raid. It also burned down in 1997 causing the owners to completely rebuild.


established1972

mass804“one of the best bike shops in the nation.”

Sunflower Bike Shop has several hand

painted signs in their windows.

One of the best bike shops in

the country.

established1880

mass“used to be where everyone got everything.”

826

E R N S T & S O N S H A R D W A R EErnst Hardware is another Lawrence Landmark. It has the feeling of an

old fashioned hardware and convenience store. It is very apparent upon

entering the store that it has been around for a very long time. They have

new products as well as products that you can tell have been sitting on the

shelves for many years.

It has a lot of antique looking signage. It has a large Dutch Boy Paints sign

hanging high above the door. There is a small sign with the Ernst and Son

Hardware hanging in front of the door. It is just black and white and looks

very old. They also have hand made signs in the windows that add to its ap-

peal. During Quantrill’s Raid this location was the Merchants Ridenour and

Baker. They were among the fi rst to rebuild in 1863 in the aftermath of the

raid. It also burned down in 1997 causing the owners to completely rebuild.


Ernst and Son Hardware has been around long

enough to see the many, many changes that

Mass Street has endured. They are now in the

fourth generation of operation in the Ernst

family. They are doing something right to have

survived the changing times with the economy

and community.

They have kept the original cash register, wood

fl oors, wood drawers and even a sliding ladder.

All of the wood work was done in house for the

drawers, fl oors and ceiling.

Ernst and Son is defi nitely one of the oldest

stores left on Mass Street that is locally owned

and operated. When you walk into the store,

it is obvious that some of the merchandise has

been sitting on the shelves for perhaps a decade.

The charm of this store truly makes it a Law-

rence classic, upon entering you know that you

are in a place that has seen the many different

faces of Mass over the years.

The Local Hardware Gem

Ernst & Sons has been selling Dutch Boy

Paints since they opened.

This book was written and designed by Jenny Kondrasuk in the

Fall of 2010 in Patrick Dooley’s Designer as Author class at the

University of Kansas. Typefaces used include MrsEaves and Trade

Gothic and it was constructed using Adobe Indesign and Photo-

shop. The camera used was a Sony Cyber Shot 14.1 Megapixel

digital camera. Sources included: www.history.lawrence.com,

www.watkinsmuseum.org, “Our Fiery History,” www.visitlawrence.

com, www.freestatebrewing.com, www.eldridgehotel.com, www.

sunfloweroutdoorandbike.com, www.francisteamsales.com,

www.downtownlawrence.com and Katie H. Armitage’s Images of

America: Lawrence Survivors of Quantrill’s Raid.

Credits

Mass. St Classics

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