The Reception
The Eldridge Hotel
701 Massachusetts Street
Lawrence, KS 66044
www.eldridgehotel.com
Here is a link to driving directions from the church to the reception venue:
Some interesting facts…
Ever heard of “Bleeding Kansas,” “Bloody Kansas,” or “The Border War?” If you haven’t, I suggest you look into some Civil War history. Before Kansas officially became a state there was lots of conflict over whether Kansas should enter the Union as a free or slave state. Settlers came from the NE with the intent to make Kansas a free state, and pro-slavery Missourians would make the commute to Kansas to vote in elections. Lawrence was the center for the Free State party and therefore was the center for large-scale attacks made by those awful Missourians.
In 1855, the Free State Hotel was built and was named to show what the settlers who temporarily stayed there wanted: Kansas as a free state. A year later, the Hotel was attacked and burned to the ground. Colonel Shalor Eldridge rebuilt the hotel and added another floor. He vowed to continue adding floors every time the hotel was destroyed. In 1863, the hotel and the entire community of Lawrence were destroyed by Quantrill and his raiders. Over 150 people were killed. Colonel Eldridge rebuilt the hotel again, and the city of Lawrence now prides itself on the fact that it could prevail. The city’s seal is a phoenix rising from ashes and its motto is “from ashes to immortality.”
Today, The Eldridge Hotel (named after the colonel himself) stands as a historical symbol to the city of Lawrence.
It is also a reminder to us Jayhawks of just how awful those stupid Missouri Tigers are. Muck Fizzou! =)
As it turns out, the conflict and destruction the Eldridge Hotel has been through may have left more than historical significance. The hotel is claimed to be extremely haunted. Check out this link to learn more:
http://www.eldridgehotel.com/video/ghost_video.htm
And be on the look-out for some unexpected wedding crashers on our big day!