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Russell County, KS

Russell CountyThe miles of stone fenceposts in this area stand as a tribute to the ingenuity of early settlers who solved their fencing problems on the treeless plains by quarrying rock to use as posts. The stone posts have become a trademark of the Smoky Hills region of Northcentral Kansas.

The stone used for posts and homestead buildings was quarried from bedrock found near the surface. This rock is a chalky limestone of rather uniform thickness eight to nine inches deep. When freshly quarried, it is soft enough to be sawed, notched, drilled or shaped with hand tools. After prolonged exposure to air it hardens and becomes weather-resistant.

Visitors will find many buildings, homes and yard ornaments throughout the Russell County area, built from this native limestone, commonly referred to as "post rock."

Explore Russell County

Florence Deeble's Rock Garden

Florence Deeble was a child watching with curiosity, when S.P. Dinsmoor was constructing his Garden of Eden in Lucas. When she retired after a career as a high school English and history teacher, she began constructing her own grassroots environment of colored concrete scenes around her home.

Lucas, KS Arts

Heym-Oliver House

A renovated "post rock" limestone family home, showing a different style of sawn limestone. Located on "historic" Kansas Street.

Russell, KS Historic Homes

Postrock Limestone Courtyard

A three million acre formation in central Kansas is known as post rock limestone. Cutting of this post rock grew out of the uniqueness of the land and the needs and inventiveness of early settlers. From 1870-1920, limestone was the only building material used in this area. By the mid 1880

Lucas, KS Arts

Deines Cultural Center

The Deines Center is the permanent home of the wood engravings of nationally known artist, E. Hubert Deines. The Deines work is displayed on a rotating basis in the west end of the main gallery. In addition, the Deines Cultural Center features other artists'

Russell, KS Arts

Russell County Courthouse

President Gerald R. Ford and Senator Robert J. Dole launched the 1976 Presidential campaign on this site on August 20, 1976.

Russell, KS Historical Markers

Outdoor Murals

This mural is painted on the side of the building bordering Cecil Bricker Park at 8th and Main in downtown Russell.

Russell, KS Arts

Fossil Station Museum

An imposing looking structure, the museum building was formerly the county jail, built in 1907 from greenhorn limestone or "post rock." It has adapted nicely to the modern theories of museum functions.

Russell, KS Museums

Grassroots Art Center

During the twentieth century Lucas, a unique, rural town in north central Kansas, has been a Mecca for Grassroots artists. Grassroots Art is described as individualistic self-taught, often eccentric senior citizens, who have a

Lucas, KS Arts

Garden of Isis Starclock

"Grassroots art" is a term describing art made by people with no formal artistic training . . . (usually of retirement age)using ordinary materials in an extraordinary way . . .

Lucas, KS Arts

Art Center Building

The Grassroots Art Center has been open since 1995 and occupies three turn-of-the century native limestone buildings on the Main Street of Lucas. The main building was a bank until the bank holiday in 1933; it did not re-open as a bank but became the town's post office;

Lucas, KS Historic Buildings

Canyon Drive

Russell County offers the traveler some of the most breathtaking views and vistas to be found in Kansas. The following is a self-guided tour travelers can take to get "off the beaten path" and see some of the beauty local residents take for granted. Travelers getting off of I-70 at Exit 206

Russell, KS Scenic Drives

Ed Root Sculptures

Ed Root farmed south of Lucas until an automobile accident forced an early

Lucas, KS Arts

Explore Russell County