About the City

Lawrence is a city with a story to tell. We're a community shaped by history, creativity, and learning. We have never been afraid to chart our own course.

Located in northeast Kansas, between Kansas City and Topeka, Lawrence is home to a vibrant downtown, two universities, beautiful neighborhoods, an active arts and culture scene, miles of parks and trails, and people who care deeply about the place they call home.

Our history is an important part of who we are. Lawrence was founded in 1854 by settlers committed to making Kansas a free state, placing our community at the center of the struggle over slavery that became known as Bleeding Kansas. The city endured the Sacking of Lawrence in 1856 and the devastating Quantrill's Raid in 1863 and rebuilt like a "phoenix from the ashes." That history of resilience, civic engagement and determination continues to shape Lawrence today. It even shapes our City icon, a bright phoenix flame.

Lawrence is home to the University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University, and generations of students, educators, artists, entrepreneurs, families and community builders have added their own chapters to our story. At the center of it all is historic Massachusetts Street — or simply “Mass” to those who know us — where locally owned shops, restaurants, music, art and gathering spaces help make downtown unmistakably Lawrence.

And others are taking notice. In 2026, Architectural Digest named Lawrence the prettiest town in Kansas, recognizing both the beauty and culture that make our community stand out. CNN Travel also selected Lawrence as one of its 10 Best Towns to Visit in America for 2026, celebrating our downtown shopping, food and nightlife, fascinating history and fiercely independent spirit.

We’re proud of those accolades, but the best way to understand Lawrence is to experience it.

Come for the history, basketball, art, music, food, trails or a walk down Mass Street. Stay long enough and you’ll discover what Lawrencians already know: there’s something about this place that is entirely its own.

Rankings

• Lawrence was listed as CNN's 9th Best Town to Visit in the summer of 2026.
• Lawrence was ranked 6th in the nation by the U.S. Census for per capita bachelor degree attainment.
• Lawrence is listed 8th in John Villani's, "The 100 Best Small Art Towns In America" (4th edition - 2005), for towns with populations between 30,000 and 100,000.
• In 2000, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Lawrence one of its Dozen Distinctive Destinations, calling the city an example of the "best preserved and unique communities in America." See the National Trust's report (PDF).
• Lawrence is a good place to start and grow new companies. In 2000, INC. magazine nationally ranked Lawrence 28th on the list of "50 Best Small Metro Areas" based on local business startups in the last 10 years and continued growth.
• The National Endowment for the Arts ranked Lawrence 12th among cities in the U.S. with the largest percentage of professional artists in the workforce.
• The Lied Center of Kansas, the University of Kansas' multi-million dollar performing arts center, is ranked by International Arts Manager magazine as one of the "Top 10 U.S. University Presenters."
• Nearby Clinton Lake is listed as one of the "50 Great Boating Lakes" by Boating World Magazine.
• Read more about recognition the City of Lawrence has received.
• In 2014, the NCAA ranked Lawrence #2 in their list of America's 5 Best College Basketball Towns.

History

• Lawrence was founded in 1854 by the New England Emigrant Aid Society in an effort to keep the territory free from slavery. It is said that Lawrence is one of the few cities in the U.S. founded strictly for political reasons.
• Dr. James Naismith, inventor of basketball, and KU's only basketball coach with a losing record, is buried in Lawrence where he lived and coached most of his adult life. The KU Jayhawk basketball program is among the best in the country.
• The city is located between both the Oregon and the Santa Fe trails, which run through Lawrence and Douglas County, KS.
• Boyhood home of writer and poet Langston Hughes whose novel "Not Without Laughter" is said to be based on his life in Lawrence.
• Home to beat-writer and artist William S. Burroughs.

The Original Naming of the Streets

• Massachusetts Street was designated the "main" street because Lawrence's founders were from Massachusetts.
• Lawrence's Herald of Freedom newspaper, Jan. 27, 1855, told of the street names from Sec. of the New England Emigrant Aid, Dr.Thomas Webb, and his statement:
  • "the streets, thirty-two in number running north and south are named after the several states of the Union. Thirteen of the streets in the eastern part of the city are named after the thirteen original States. The balance of the streets west are named after the remaining nineteen States, in order in which they were admitted into the Union."
• However, Carolina Street near Lawrence High School was added much later and Georgia never added.
• The Lawrence Journal-World Nov. 21, 1996, noted Lawrence does not have streets named for all 50 states - "nine states have been snubbed: Alaska, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington and Wyoming."
• View the original town site(PDF, 500KB) image (PDF, .5 MB)

Climate Information

Sister Cities

• Hiratsuka, Japan
• Eutin, Germany
• Iniades, Greece
• Tocopilla, Chile