Gaslight Tavern
Encyclopedia
The Gaslight Tavern operates in north Lawrence, Kansas
as a bar and coffeehouse and offers live entertainment on a regular basis. While the interior only offers a capacity of 39, there is an unusually large patio area.
The Gaslight did not renew their lease for 2009 and was closed temporarily. It reopened on July 3, 2009.
campus in Lawrence, Kansas
, and was right next to the Abington Book Shop (publisher of GRIST) that was owned by the beat poet, John E. Fowler and wife Sara. 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
.
The Gaslight has been featured in poetry and fiction. During the era of Folk music
, the Gaslight opened the stage to local artists. Later, beat poet George Edward Kimball
held 'court' at the Gaslight.
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.
KU student Nick Rice was shot to death in front of the Gaslight by local police during an anti-war riot in Summer 1970.
The building burned in the 70s, under suspicious conditions.
The original location of the Gaslight is now a parking area for the KU Student Union.
In its heyday, the Gaslight, as a bar and grill, offered only pale 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.
Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence is the sixth largest city in the U.S. State of Kansas and the county seat of Douglas County. Located in northeastern Kansas, Lawrence is the anchor city of the Lawrence, Kansas, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Douglas County...
as a bar and coffeehouse and offers live entertainment on a regular basis. While the interior only offers a capacity of 39, there is an unusually large patio area.
The Gaslight did not renew their lease for 2009 and was closed temporarily. It reopened on July 3, 2009.
History
The original Gaslight Tavern was located at 1241 Oread (as in 13th & Oread on The Hill), just off the University Of KansasUniversity of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
campus in Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence is the sixth largest city in the U.S. State of Kansas and the county seat of Douglas County. Located in northeastern Kansas, Lawrence is the anchor city of the Lawrence, Kansas, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Douglas County...
, and was right next to the Abington Book Shop (publisher of GRIST) that was owned by the beat poet, John E. Fowler and wife Sara. The Gaslight was a popular hangout for students and non-students alike over several decades, from the peaceful times of the Silent Generation
Silent Generation
Silent Generation is a label for the generation born from 1925–1945 notably during the Great Depression and World War II . While the label was originally applied to people in North America, it has also been applied to those in Western Europe and Australasia...
to the more turbulent times of the Counter Culture
Counterculture
Counterculture is a sociological term used to describe the values and norms of behavior of a cultural group, or subculture, that run counter to those of the social mainstream of the day, the cultural equivalent of political opposition. Counterculture can also be described as a group whose behavior...
.
The Gaslight has been featured in poetry and fiction. During the era of Folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
, the Gaslight opened the stage to local artists. Later, beat poet George Edward Kimball
George Edward Kimball
George E. Kimball III was an American author and journalist who spent 25 years as a sports columnist for the Boston Herald before retiring in 2005...
held 'court' at the Gaslight.
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.
KU student Nick Rice was shot to death in front of the Gaslight by local police during an anti-war riot in Summer 1970.
The building burned in the 70s, under suspicious conditions.
The original location of the Gaslight is now a parking area for the KU Student Union.
In its heyday, the Gaslight, as a bar and grill, offered only pale beer
Beer
Beer is the world's most widely consumed andprobably oldest alcoholic beverage; it is the third most popular drink overall, after water and tea. It is produced by the brewing and fermentation of sugars, mainly derived from malted cereal grains, most commonly malted barley and malted wheat...
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.
External references
- Photos from 1970, LJWorld.com: GEK III, Gaslight, Student Union burning, Lawrence High protest
- The 60s
- Current website