Postcard with a black and white photograph of the Y.M.C.A. building on the front. Photograph shows the building from the side on a street corner. A note is written on the front in the sky area signed by Lissa Peard. On the back the postcard is addressed to Mrs. F.W. Burthrey in Enid, Oklahoma. Postmarked January 31, 1906. On the back is information on when the postcard was acquired,10/19/1989.
We believe that this item has no known US copyright restrictions. The item may be subject to rights of privacy, rights of publicity and other restrictions. We encourage anyone who may have more information about our items to contact us at custserv@lawrencepubliclibrary.org.
William Pendleton World War II Interview
World War, 1939-1945 -- Veterans -- Interviews.
William Pendleton served in the United States Army from 1942 to 1946. He also served in the Reserve Corps from 1946 to 1953. Interviewed by Pattie Johnston on March 3, 2006, Pendleton talked about his military experiences during the Second World War. Pendleton was attending the University of Kansas when he joined the Army. He was first sent to New Guinea in 1944 and served as an engineer boat and shore officer. He also worked as the postmaster. Pendleton then took part in the invasion of Borneo with the Australian Army. He had many roles, including the finance manager. After Borneo, he spent several weeks in the Philippines until the war ended. He was discharged in March 1946. He then went back to KU and received a degree in economics in 1947. In 1954, Pendleton started law school at KU and graduated in 1957. That same year, he started his own law firm in Lawrence, Kansas. He also worked as a municipal court judge. He passed away on May 15, 2015.
Kansas Veterans of World War II Oral History Project / Lawrence Remembers: The World War II Years Project
Lawrence Public Library (Lawrence, Kan.)
The original copy of this video is available through the Lawrence Public Library. The Watkins Museum of History and the Kansas State Historical Society also have interviews associated with this project, which was funded through a grant program passed by the Kansas State Legislature in 2005. Researchers are responsible for obtaining any necessary permissions for uses other than educational or scholarly research. Contact the Watkins Museum of History for additional information: https://www.watkinsmuseum.org/
To access the video recording of this oral history, go to: https://archive.org/details/pendleton-william-wwii-interview
Obituary: https://obituaries.ljworld.com/obituaries/ljworld/obituary.aspx?n=william-biklen-pendleton&pid=174881386&fhid=24989
The Watkins Museum of History also holds items related to this collection.
Transcripts for this project are available through the Kansas Memory Digital Collection: https://www.kansasmemory.org/item/214669
Other resources for interviews with World War II veterans are available through the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project: https://www.loc.gov/vets/vets-home.htm
Eugene Mack Percy enlisted in the United States Army in June 1942. He served in the 13th Armored Regiment, First Armored Division, Company H, 3rd battalion. Interviewed by Pattie Johnston on November 6, 2007, Percy talked about his experiences during the Second World War. Percy was born on November 11, 1923, in Carlyle, Kansas. He graduated high school in 1942. After joining the Army, he went to basic training at Fort Riley in Kansas. Throughout his service, he was a troop bugler. He served in North Africa and Italy. He received a Presidential Unit Citation and a Purple Heart. After the war, he received a bachelor’s degree in music education from Washburn University, a master’s degree from Emporia University, and a Ph.D. He worked as a teacher and for the state of Kansas. Percy passed away on February 12, 2011.
To access the video recording of this oral history, go to: https://archive.org/details/percy-eugene-wwii-interview
Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/cjonline/obituary.aspx?n=eugene-mack-percy&pid=148653955
Photograph of the Lawrence mills, elevators & water power plant during the 1951 flood. Taken from the north end of the bridge.
Robert "Bob" J. Piller World War II Interview
World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Belgium -- Bastogne.
Robert J. “Bob” Piller was drafted into the United States Army (395th Infantry Regiment) in 1943. He was discharged in 1945. Interviewed by Brian Grubbs on October 5, 2006, Piller talked about his experiences during the Second World War. Piller was born on November 19, 1924, in Great Bend, Kansas. Following high school graduation in 1942, he went to Notre Dame before transferring to the University of Kansas. Upon being drafted into the Army in 1943, he went to basic training at Camp Maxey in Paris, Texas. After basics, he went to Europe. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium and the German attack at the Danube River on April 27, 1945. Piller received two Bronze Stars for his service. After the war, Piller went back to KU to complete his degree. He passed away on October 7, 2010.
To access the video recording of this oral history, go to: https://archive.org/details/piller-robert-wwii-interview
Obituary: https://www2.ljworld.com/life-events/obituaries/2010/nov/15/robert-piller/
Transcripts for this project are available through the Kansas Memory Digital Collection: https://www.kansasmemory.org/item/211746
Pinckney Neighborhood Association Bylaws, undated
Pinckney Neighborhood Association (Lawrence, Kan.)
Bylaws for the Pinckney Neighborhood Association in Lawrence, Kansas.
Community Development Division, City of Lawrence (Kan.)
Copyright Pinckney Neighborhood Association. Please contact the copyright holder for permission to use this item. The item may also be subject to rights of privacy, rights of publicity and other restrictions.
Pinckney Neighborhood Association Correspondence, 1987-2002
Correspondence between the presidents and coordinators of the Pinckney Neighborhood Association and the City of Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas.
Pinckney Neighborhood Association Minutes, 1988-2004
Meeting minutes for the Pinckney Neighborhood Association of in Lawrence, Kansas.
Pinckney Neighborhood Association Newsletters, 1980-2006
Newsletters from the Pinckney Neighborhood Association to residents of the Pinckney neighborhood in Lawrence, Kansas.
Kenneth Pine was in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946. He served as a replacement in Italy and was assigned to the 276th Infantry Company I in France. He also served as a military policeman. Interviewed by Pattie Johnston on June 30, 2006, Pine talked about his experiences during the Second World War. Pine was born in Lawrence, Kansas, on September 1, 1924. He attended Liberty Memorial High School and the University of Kansas. He took part in the Army Specialized Training Program at the KU to become an engineer. He then took classes at the University of Nebraska before being sent to Camp Robinson in Arkansas and Camp Rucker in Alabama.
To access the video recording of this oral history, go to: https://archive.org/details/kenneth-pine-wwii-interview_202008
Transcripts for this project are available through the Kansas Memory Digital Collection: https://www.kansasmemory.org/item/211747
Fred Plank was drafted into the United States Army in 1942. He was first assigned to the Infantry (411th Division), and then transferred into the Army’s 382nd Field Artillery, where he served as the ammunition sergeant. He was medically discharged in 1945. Interviewed by Brian Grubbs on June 22, 2007, Plank talked about his military experiences during the Second World War. Plank was born in Garden City, Missouri on August 18, 1919. He went to basic training at Camp Claiborne in Louisiana and then went to school in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Plank passed away on October 22, 2016.
To access the video recording of this oral history, go to: https://archive.org/details/plank-fred-wwii-interview
Obituary: https://obituaries.ljworld.com/obituaries/ljworld/obituary.aspx?n=fred-plank&pid=182126229&fhid=20441
Transcripts for this project are available through the Kansas Memory Digital Collection: https://www.kansasmemory.org/item/212784
Letter to Lawrence Public Library Board of Directors Regarding Gifts from Theo. Poehler Mercantile Co., 1906
A letter from Sophie Poehler acknowledging receipt of a letter from the Lawrence Library Board of Directors in which they accepted the gift of books and furniture from the Theo. Poehler Mercantile Company.
Lawrence Public Library Historical Records
John "Jack" Proctor World War II Interview
Air Pilots, Military -- United States -- Biography.
World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial Operations, American.
United States. Army Air Forces. Air Force, 8th -- Aerial Gunners -- Biography.
John “Jack” Proctor was drafted into the United States Army (Eighth Air Force). He was originally trained as a gunner and engineer on the B-17, but then trained and worked as a gunner on the B-29. He was discharged in October 1945. Interviewed by Pattie Johnston on August 23, 2007, Proctor talked about his military experiences during the Second World War. Proctor was born on June 6, 1922, in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in Pennsylvania. After being drafted, he trained in Salina, Kansas. He then went overseas to Saipan. Proctor received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. Following his service, he worked at Beech Aircraft in Wichita, Kansas. Proctor passed away on October 3, 2007.
The original copy of this video is available through the Lawrence Public Library. The Watkins Museum of History and the Kansas State Historical Society also have interviews associated with this project, which was funded through a grant program passed by the Kansas State Legislature in 2005. This interview can be used freely for purposes beyond educational or scholarly research. Contact the Watkins Museum of History for additional information: https://www.watkinsmuseum.org/
To access the video recording of this oral history, go to: https://archive.org/details/proctor-jack-wwii-interview-20070823
Obituary: https://www2.ljworld.com/life-events/obituaries/2007/oct/05/jack_proctor_sr/
Transcripts for this project are available through the Kansas Memory Digital Collection: https://www.kansasmemory.org/item/218572
Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
Ice on rivers, lakes, etc. -- Kansas -- Lawrence
Postcard with a black and white photograph of an ice gorge on the Kaw River on the front. Photograph depicts the river covered in ice sheets, the bridge can be seen in the background and Bowersock Mills can be seen on the left. At the bottom of the photograph "861 Ice Jam, Kaw River, Lawrence, Kans. Jan. 16, 1910" is printed in white ink. On the back is a note to Mrs. S. Hail in Topeka, Kansas from her child R.H.H. in Lawrence, Kansas . Note discussed when "R" is going to leave after the term is over. Postmarked January 23, 1910. Information on when the postcard was acquired is on the back, 5/21/1978.
Historic buildings -- Kansas -- Lawrence
Postcard with a black and white photograph of the Simmon Hospital on the front. Photograph shows the building's front with trees around it. At the bottom of the photograph is a black strip with "Simmons Hospital. Lawrence, Kansas." is typed in white ink. A white border is around the entire photograph. "801 Ohio" is written in blue ink on the bottom border. On the back is a note to Miss Edith C. Johnson in Topeka, Kansas from R.J.W. in Lawrence, Kansas. Note discusses how R. sprained their ankle in baseball and had to go to Simmons Hospital. Dated May 3,1909. Postmarked May 4, 1909. On the back along the left side "Alfred Lawrence, Photographer, Lawrence, Kan." is typed sideways in black ink. Note: Postcard is labeled with the wrong address.
William "Bill" Radke World War II Interview
William “Bill” P. Radke served in the United States Army (Infantry), 88th Division, Fifth Special Forces Airborne. Interviewed by Deborah Pye on November 8, 2006, Radke talked about his military experiences after the Second World War. Radke was born in Ohio in 1928. He enlisted in the Army in 1945 and went to basic training in New Jersey. Radke has an extensive 30-year military career. From 1947 to 1948, he was in the TRUST Troopers in Trieste, Italy. After Officer Candidate School (OCS), he went to jump and Ranger school in the 1950s. During the 1960s, he served as the commander of Special Forces Thailand (46th Special Forces Company). Radke passed away on August 16, 2017.
To access the video recording of this oral history, go to: https://archive.org/details/radke-bill-wwii-interview
Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/kansascity/obituary.aspx?n=william-p-radtke-bill&pid=186445575&fhid=24990
Transcripts for this project are available through the Kansas Memory Digital Collection: https://www.kansasmemory.org/item/211748
Discrimination in housing -- Kansas -- Lawrence -- History
Segregation -- Kansas -- Lawrence -- History
Lawrence (Kan.) -- Race relations -- History
Oral history interview with Richard Raney, who was the mayor of Lawrence at the time the city's fair housing ordinance was passed in July 1967. This interview was conducted by Tom Arnold on October 19, 2016, as part of the Lawrence Fair Housing Ordinance 50th Anniversary Oral History Project.
Lawrence Fair Housing Ordinance 50th Anniversary Oral History Project
City of Lawrence, Human Relations Division (Lawrence, Kan.)
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. The public may freely copy, modify, and share this Item for noncommercial purposes if they include the original source information. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Click here to listen to the audio recording of this interview. Click here to view the video recording of this interview. The Spencer Research Library at the University of Kansas is the official repository for this collection of oral histories.
Postcard of Bridge Street during the 1908 Flood
Kansas River (Kan.) -- Flood -- 20th century
Postcard with a black and white photograph of a scene from the 1908 flood on the front. Photograph features a flooded area of Lawrence near the bridge of the Kaw, a young boy is walking in the water in the foreground, sandbags are stacked in the background and a large crowd of people are further back by the bridge. Below the photograph is a white border with "Scene on Bridge Street, Lawrence, Kansas, 1908 Flood. Photo by H.W. Foster." printed in black ink. On the left side of the border "1908" is written in pencil and on the right side of the border "L.R." is also written in pencil. On the back is a note to Miss Gertrude Gerhard in Denver, Colorado from Lizzie Read in Lawrence, Kansas. Note states that this photograph depicts what Lawrence looked like during the flood and that the writer feels bad for the people in North Lawrence. Dated and postmarked July 2, 1908. Note: Bridge Street is now North 2nd Street.
Kenneth Rehmer served in the United States Army (607th Graves Registration; 3rd Platoon, 78th Division) during World War II. Interviewed by Pattie Johnston on August 23, 2003, as part of the Lawrence Remembers: The World War II Years Project, Rehmer talked about his experiences during the Second World War. Rehmer was born in Wichita, Kansas, and raised in Yates Center, Kansas. He enlisted in the Army in February 1942. He was inducted at Fort Leavenworth and completed basic training at Camp Lee in Virginia. Rehmer spent over a year working as a truck driver on the Alcan Highway in Canada. He then went to Fort Warren, Wyoming, where he was assigned to the 607th Graves Registration. He then went to Europe. While there, he established cemeteries in France, Belgium, and Germany. Throughout the interview, he discussed creating cemeteries and identifying fallen soldiers. Rehmer passed away on August 21, 2005.
The original copy of this video is available through the Lawrence Public Library. The Watkins Museum of History and the Kansas State Historical Society may also have interviews associated with this project. Researchers are responsible for obtaining any necessary permissions for uses other than educational or scholarly research. Contact the Watkins Museum of History for additional information: https://www.watkinsmuseum.org/
To access the video recording of this oral history, go to: https://archive.org/details/rehmer-interview
Obituary: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/30562134/kenneth-j_-rehmer
Transcripts for this project are available through the Kansas Memory Digital Collection: https://www.kansasmemory.org/item/212318
Mexican Americans -- Housing -- Kansas -- Lawrence
Mexican Americans -- History -- Kansas -- Lawrence
Mexican Americans -- Social conditions -- Kansas -- Lawrence
Tiburcio Reyes, Sr. was interviewed by Helen Krische in 2006 as part of an oral history project to document the La Yarda and Mexican-American communities in Lawrence, Kansas. La Yarda was a neighborhood of worker housing provided by the Santa Fe Railroad for Mexican-American railroad workers; located near the Kansas (Kaw) River, the neighborhood was largely destroyed by a major flood in 1951. Tiburcio grew up in East and North Lawrence; his father was one of a number of Mexican-American railroad workers who settled in Lawrence before 1950. Tiburcio describes his family's migration from Mexico to Lawrence, and their work to establish the Tropicana and El Matador restaurants in North Lawrence; at the time of the interview, Tiburcio owned and operated the El Matador Cafe with his daughter and grandchildren. He discussed his military service during the Vietnam War, and his thoughts about immigration. Tiburcio also discusses experiences of discrimination and segregation faced by the Mexican-American community in Lawrence.
Watkins Community Museum (Lawrence, Kan.)
Published with the permission of Tiburcio Reyes, Jr., on behalf of Tiburcio Reyes, Sr. This work is the intellectual property of the Watkins Museum of History, Lawrence, Kansas. The public may freely copy, modify, and share this Item for noncommercial purposes if they include the original source information. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
To access the video and audio recordings of this interview, go to https://archive.org/details/15-treyes-sr-2006.
Additional research on the La Yarda community is held at the Spencer Research Library at the University of Kansas.
Marjorie H. Rimes World War II Interview
World War, 1939-1945 -- Women -- United States.
Marjorie Rimes lived in Topeka, Kansas, during the Second World War. Interviewed as part of the Lawrence Remembers: The World War II Years Project, Rimes talked about life during the war. She discussed the war effort at home, rationing, and communicating with soldiers overseas. Rimes passed away on February 21, 2007.
To access the video recording of this oral history, go to: https://archive.org/details/rimes-interview
Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/cjonline/obituary.aspx?n=marjorie-h-rimes&pid=86674020
Walter Stitt Robinson World War II Interview
Walter Stitt Robinson, Jr. served as a Captain in the United States Army (82nd Airborne Division) from 1941 to 1945. Interviewed by Pattie Johnston on March 26, 2007, Robinson talked about his experiences during the Second World War. Robinson was born in North Carolina on August 28, 1917. He graduated from high school in 1935. He then received a bachelor’s degree from Davidson College in 1939 and a master’s degree in history from the University of Virginia in 1941. He was drafted into the Army in November 1941. He completed basic training at Camp Croft in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He went to Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning and worked as an instructor at Fort McClellan in Alabama. Robinson then went overseas to the European theater of war. He took part in the invasion of Southern France in 1944, the Battle of the Bulge, and the airborne crossing of the Rhine into Germany in 1945. He was discharged in 1945 and received the Bronze Star. Following the war, in 1950, Robinson received a PhD in history for the University of Virginia. He then taught history at the University of Kansas from 1950 until he retired in 1988. Robinson passed away on July 2, 2014.
To access the video recording of this oral history, go to: https://archive.org/details/robinson-w.-stitt
Obituary: https://warrenmcelwain.com/obituary/walter-stitt-robinson/
Walter Robinson was also interviewed as part of the Kansas Veterans History Project; the video recording of that interview can be accessed at https://memory.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/story/loc.natlib.afc2001001.04468/
Frank Romero was interviewed by Helen Krische in 2006 as part of an oral history project to document the La Yarda and Mexican-American communities in Lawrence, Kansas. La Yarda was a neighborhood of worker housing provided by the Santa Fe Railroad for Mexican-American railroad workers; located near the Kansas (Kaw) River, the neighborhood was largely destroyed by a major flood in 1951. Frank lived with his parents and siblings in Lawrence's La Yarda neighborhood. Frank describes his family's migration from Mexico to Lawrence, and the living conditions in La Yarda. He describes childhood pasttimes, and experiences with school and healthcare. He discusses his family's affiliation with the St. John's Church congregation. He talks about how he met his wife, and the role the Spanish language had in their courtship. Frank also describes his work as a mail carrier in North Lawrence.
Published with the permission of Amy Chavez, on behalf of Frank Romero. This work is the intellectual property of the Watkins Museum of History, Lawrence, Kansas. The public may freely copy, modify, and share this Item for noncommercial purposes if they include the original source information. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
To access the video and audio recordings of this interview, go to https://archive.org/details/19-fromero-2006.
Pedro (Pete) Romero was interviewed by Helen Krische on May 23, 2006, and then by Emily Raymond on January 29 and February 4, 2021, as part of an oral history project to document the La Yarda and Mexican-American communities in Lawrence, Kansas. Pedro lived with his parents and siblings in Lawrence's La Yarda neighborhood. La Yarda was a neighborhood of worker housing provided by the Santa Fe Railroad for Mexican-American railroad workers; located near the Kansas (Kaw) River; the neighborhood was largely destroyed by a major flood in 1951. In the 2006 interview, Pedro and Helen discuss photos and drawings of the Santa Fe depot and the La Yarda area. Pedro also describes his family's migration from Mexico to Lawrence, his father's experiences as a railroad worker, and his experiences growing up in La Yarda and East Lawrence. In the 2021 interviews, Pedro talks about how he met his wife, their involvement with St. John's Catholic Church, and their two sons. He also also describes his family's relationships with other Mexican-American families in Lawrence, their experiences attending local schools and playing sports, their family's foodways and social life, and experiences of discrimination and segregation faced by the Mexican-American community in Lawrence.
Published with the permission of Peter Romero. This work is the intellectual property of the Watkins Museum of History, Lawrence, Kansas. The public may freely copy, modify, and share this Item for noncommercial purposes if they include the original source information. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
To access the audio recording of these interviews, go to https://archive.org/details/6-promero-202102204.
2006 interview: 25-PRomero-2006.mp3 (audio)/25-PRomero-2006.pdf (transcription)
2021-01-29 interview: 5-PRomero-20210129.mp3 (audio)/5-PRomero-20210129.pdf (transcription)
2021-02-04 interview: 6-PRomero-20210204.mp3 (audio)/6-PRomero-20210204.pdf (transcription)
Ramon (Raymond) Enrique Romero, Sr., La Yarda Interview
Ramon (Raymond) Romero was interviewed by Helen Krische in 2006 as part of an oral history project to document the La Yarda and Mexican-American communities in Lawrence, Kansas. La Yarda was a neighborhood of worker housing provided by the Santa Fe Railroad for Mexican-American railroad workers; located near the Kansas (Kaw) River, the neighborhood was largely destroyed by a major flood in 1951. Ramon discusses his school experiences in Lawrence, how he met his wife, and his work experiences including his military service. He discusses his parents' strategies for providing for their family, including gardening and sewing clothes. He describes his experiences with healthcare in his youth. He also discusses his experiences with cultural assimiliation, especially regarding speaking Spanish.
Published with the permission of Virginia Romero, on behalf of Ramon (Raymond) Romero. This work is the intellectual property of the Watkins Museum of History, Lawrence, Kansas. The public may freely copy, modify, and share this Item for noncommercial purposes if they include the original source information. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
To access the audio recording of this interview, go to https://archive.org/details/21a-rromero-sr-2006.
Ramon Romero was also interviewed as part of an oral history project to record memories of World War II. A transcription of that interview can be accessed at https://www.kansasmemory.org/item/211750.
21a-RRomeroSr-2006.mp3 (audio) and 21a-RRomeroSr-2006.pdf (transcription)
21b-RRomeroSr-2006.mp3 (audio) and 21b-RRomeroSr-2006.pdf (transcription)