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Gaslight Tavern

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The Gaslight Tavern was located at 1241 Oread (as in 13th & Oread on The Hill), just off the University Of Kansas campus in Lawrence, Kansas, and was right next (west) to the Abington Book Shop (the "City Lights" of the midwest[1]) that was owned by the beat poet, John E. Fowler (publisher of GRIST[2]) and wife Sara.[3] The Gaslight was a popular hangout for students and non-students alike over several decades, from the peaceful times of the Silent Generation to the more turbulent times of the Counter Culture.[4]

The Gaslight has been featured in poetry and fiction.[5] During the era of Folk music, the Gaslight opened the stage to local artists.[6] Later, beat poet George Edward Kimball held 'court' at the Gaslight. [7] George was noted for running for Douglas County sheriff in 1970 and losing the race; however, Phillip Hill was voted in, and removed from his office, as justice of the peace.[8]

KU student Nick Rice [9] was shot to death in front of the Gaslight [10] by local police during an anti-war riot in Summer 1970. On the night of July 16, 1970, KU freshman, Rick "Tiger" Dowdell was shot in downtown Lawrence.[9]

The building burned in the 70s, under suspicious conditions.[11][12][13][14] [15] The original location of the Gaslight is now a parking area for the KU Student Union which was burned in the 1970 riots.

In its heyday, the Gaslight, as a bar and grill, offered varieties of near beer and adequate hamburgers. Entertainment consisted of juke-box music, pin-ball machines, and a pool table (and conversation). Live entertainment was not a regular event.

Gaslight Gardens

The Gaslight Gardens reopened on March 17, 2012[16] and uses a "European beer garden motif."

Earlier, the establishment was known as Gaslight Tavern for several years,[17] operated in north Lawrence, Kansas as a bar and coffeehouse [18] and offered live entertainment on a regular basis. While the interior only offered a capacity of 39, there was an unusually large patio area.

The Gaslight did not renew their lease for 2009 and was closed temporarily.[19] It reopened on July 3, 2009 [20][21] and closed, again on _ _, __.

References

  1. ^ John Fowler on James McCrary
  2. ^ GRIST On-line from GRIST
  3. ^ John E. Fowler
  4. ^ Monhollon, R.L. ()"This is America"" The Sixties in Lawrence, Kansas
  5. ^ The Beat Generation in the Heartland
  6. ^ Heritage of the Great Plains, Kansas History website
  7. ^ George Kimball
  8. ^ November 3, 1970 - Yippie wins election for Justice of the Peace in Douglas County -- (2006) via Douglass County Law Library
  9. ^ a b KU History July 16, 1970 A long weekend in a long hot summer
  10. ^ ktka dot com /news/2010/apr/21/1970-racial-unrest-sparked-deadly-violence/ 1970: Racial unrest sparked deadly violence - stale
  11. ^ LJ World July 15 25 Years Ago
  12. ^ LJ World 1970: Memories of violence in city still strong
  13. ^ kansan dot com /archives/2005/04/27/counterculture-at-ku/ _counterculture/ Counter culture at KU - stale
  14. ^ mobile.ljworld dot com /news/1991/apr/18/hippie_tales/ Hippie Tales - stale
  15. ^ Lawrence wants to have a say
  16. ^ lawrence.com
  17. ^ Turn on the Gaslight (includes photos of the current and the original Gaslights)
  18. ^ Gaslight Tavern
  19. ^ kansan dot com /news/2008/sep/30/gaslights/?news Extinguishing the last flame - stale
  20. ^ lawrence dot com /news/2009/jun/29/re-ignited/ Reignited - stale
  21. ^ lawrence dot com /places/gaslight/ The Gaslight Tavern - stale