The Bowersock Opera House,located on the northeast corner of Massachusetts Street and 7th, has grown out of ashes more than once. The original building was purchased by J.D. Bowersock in 1882. In line with Lawrence's firey history, the opera house burned down in 1896. Bowersock, a man who defines the term perseverence, wanted to rebuild a better opera house and did (pictured). On February 18, 1911 the Opera House was destroyed again by fire, this time due to faulty wiring. Bowersock, more determined than ever, again wanted to rebuild, but this time he wanted a fireproof building. The new building was completed on January 22, 1912, and had tremendously thick, sturdy walls. Bowersock's determination paid off as the structure survived a 1931 fire. In fact, the new theatre was so sturdy, during World War II, it was one of the only buildings in Lawrence declared safe by the military in case of bombings.

This image is taken from E.F. Caldwells "A Souvenir History of Lawrence, Kansas, 1898," pp. 52.