Lawrence is a village of about 272 residents platted in 1886 when the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad extended a line through the area, with strong Czech and German heritage among its early settlers. The Lawrence Opera House is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the town's motto, “A Small Town With A Big Heart,” reflects a community known for its annual Cow Chip Tournament and back-to-back state football championships in the 1980s.

Lawrence is a village of about 272 residents known for its Czech and German heritage and the National Register-listed Lawrence Opera House.