1984.112.006

This is a scrapbook of newspaper clippings ranging from the year 1962 all the way to 1982 regarding a multitude of community events and happenings in the history of Lawrence. A good portion of these clippings are about the 50th anniversary of the 1912 strike and subsequent “For God and Country” Parade. This parade was put on again by the community in 1962 to commemorate the original event, and all facets of the city were present; schools, local businesses, non-profit and volunteer organizations, and of course many, many on looking citizens. They even managed to get the preserved flag from the 1912 parade and fly it during this 1962 commemoration. Other clippings in the book include photos and small articles surrounding the changing landscape of Lawrence and its landmarks over the years. Some depict the renovation of the Lawrence Public Library, others the destruction of “Theater Row” and how the many movie theaters that once littered that street were replaced with other businesses in 1978. The 100th anniversary of St. Anne’s parish is also a topic of discussion in the book, as well as the City of Lawrence as a whole turning 125 back in 1978. Also included in the scrapbook is an article relating to the Great Organ located in the Methuen Memorial Music Hall and a picture of the organ. On the same page is a picture of Gaunt Square, one of the business districts in Methuen. One of the most interesting subjects of this scrapbook, however, is the obituary for one Ferdinand Waldo Demara, “The Great Imposter”, a Lawrence man who impersonated over half a dozen professional careers before settling down as a pastor in California and dying of heart failure. This obituary from a Lawrence newspaper commemorates the life of this extraordinary man, seeing as he was born in South Lawrence, drove taxis in the city, and even attended, but never graduated, Central Catholic High school. At the end of the scrapbook is a lengthy article on the passing of Monsignor Burke, a well known pastor at St. Patrick's Church in So. Lawrence.

Collection:

Lawrence History Center Scrapbook Collection