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Vivian Vance Birthplace


category : Famous People
Vivian Vance Birthplace I Love Lucy fans know Vivian Vance as Lucy's neighbor and cohort "Ethel Mertz." Born Vivian Roberta Jones in Cherryvale, Kansas, on July 26 in 1909, the second of six siblings, one brother and four sisters, Vivian was popular, blessed with an outgoing personality, and very rebellious. As a friend of Louse Brooks, the 20th century "flapper" icon and world renown silent screen actress, they made mud pies together and played among the tombstones manufactured two blocks down the street.

She had a passion for acting and was constantly being thwarted by her strictly religious mother. At the age of 16, Viv went to Tulsa for awhile, but moved back to Kansas right before the family headed to Albuquerque, New Mexico. She appeared in many plays with the Albuquerque Little Theater. The town provided money for Vivian to go to New York to find work on Broadway. Vivian traveled with theater companies and made a name for herself. One special person that came to see her at a production was a man named Desi Arnaz. Her realized that Vivian was exactly what they needed to play "Ethel Mertz." It took a lot of convincing to his wife, Lucille Ball, but in the end, it worked out and made TV history. Vivian tried other parts in movies as well as sitcoms, but never escaped the "Ethel" image. She died of cancer on August 17, 1979.

West 6th Street was designated as Vivian Vance Lane the summer of 2002.


Address: 309 West 6th Street
Our Website:www.leatherockhotel.com/VivianVance.htm
PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB OCCUPANTS.

Come visit us in Cherryvale, Kansas

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Tanko Lake

Santa Fe Tanko Lake was built in 1870 to draw fresh water for the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston Railway steam locomotives and later for the Atchison Topeka Santa Fe Railway's steam locomotives. The 45-acre lake was deeded by the Santa Fe Railway to the city as a New Years gift in 1954

Cherryvale, KS Recreation

Logan Memorial Veteran's Park

This memorial park has served Cherryvale since 1881 when the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston Railroad offered the six-acre tract to the city. In 1895, Civil War Veterans held their first "Old Soldiers' Southern Kansas Reunion right here in Logan Park, Cherryvale, Kansas. This "Reunion Association"

Cherryvale, KS Memorials

Bloody Bender Family 1871-1873

Ruthless Keepers of the Devil's Inn "Near here are the Bender Mounds, named for the infamous Bender family, John, his wife, son, and daughter Kate, who settled here in 1871

Cherryvale, KS Notables

Leatherock Hotel and Museums

The Leatherock Hotel is the only local hotel left among the 19 hotels built in Cherryvale's bygone era. This 1912 historic hotel, adjacent to the crossing tracks of AT&

Cherryvale, KS Museums

Lakeview Country Club & Resort

The Lakeview Country Golf Club & Resort is on 150-arcres, with a 50-acre fresh water lake that was at one time Cherryvale's municipal waterworks. It is open 7 days a week, with a 9-hole golf course featuring a putting green, driving range and pro shop.

Cherryvale, KS Golf Courses

Things to do Famous People near Cherryvale, KS

Olive Ann Beach

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