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Laura Ford Buckwalter (December 29, 1859 – April 5, 1941) A suffragist and community activist, as well as a carpenter and mason, Buckwalter initiated construction and secured funds for Park Villa at North Riverside Park in Wichita, Kansas.

Career
Buckwalter is noted for the construction of Park Villa at North Riverside Park in Wichita, Kansas. Buckwalter saw a need for public restrooms in the park. She secured funds and was contractor of the project. Wichita architect Ulysses Grant Charles designed the structure. Construction commenced in 1912 but did not finish until 1913, The Wichita Daily Eagle [Wichita, Kansas] "Hand City Rest Room by May a5: Mrs. Laura Buckwalter Who For Nearly Two Years Has Fought to Complete It, Sees Finish of the Work." 8 May 1913, page 5, column 1. due to various work issues. Prison labor was used on the project and Buckwalter stood guard. Buckwalter also helped with the construction of the structure. In 1917, Buckwalter sued the undertaker who buried her husband. She claimed that the post mortem was held without due process of law and without her consent. The Wichita Eagle [Wichita, Kansas]. "Only Part of Body Buried: So Alleges Mrs. Laura Buckwalter in Answering Suit of Undertaker Who Buried Her Husband." 21 April 1917, page 5, column 3.

Early years and education
Buckwalter was born December 29, 1859, in Bloomington, Illinois, the daughter of Lucy Joanna Cass and William C. Ford.

Personal life
On January 1, 1890, she married Dr. Oliver Buckwalter, a dentist of Erie, Kansas. They had one child, Oliver Ford Buckwalter, born in 1892 who lived only from January to September.

Buckwalter was a member of the Ladies of the G. A. R. She was also a member of the Women's Relief Corp. In 1897, as part of the corp she was instrumental in having a pavilion constructed for the soldier's circle in Maple Grove Cemetery. Wichita Eagle, 20 February 1897.

After her husband died in 1917, Buckwalter lived in her home at 1106 Larimer Avenue until her death. The home was noticeable in its neighborhood because of the amount of masonry work on the house and about the property. She also had done much of the building of her own home, putting in the windows, laying tile, fixing casings and building the fireplace. The home was demolished after her death for the construction of a church parking lot.

Buckwalter died April 5, 1941, at her home in Wichita, Kansas as the result of a fall. She is buried with her husband and son at Bethel Cemetery in Erie, Kansas.