Russell County, KS
The 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
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 DrivesFossil 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 MuseumsGarden 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 ArtsHeym-Oliver House
A renovated "post rock" limestone family home, showing a different style of sawn limestone. Located on "historic" Kansas Street.
Russell, KS Historic HomesDeines 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 ArtsFlorence 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 ArtsGernon House
This structure is the oldest "post rock" stone house built in Russell in 1872 by Nicholas Gernon, a blacksmith and one of the original settlers. This lovely home has been fully restored to the period of the 1890s.
Russell, KS MuseumsGarden of Eden
Being in a small prairie town in central Kansas, on a quiet residential street, a concrete Adam and Eve greet you;
Lucas, KS One Of A KindsWorld's Largest Souvenir Travel Plate
The Worlds Largest Souvenir Travel Plate is a 14' satellite dish painted with the history of Lucas and the Lucas area. Honoring the multiple Outsider Art environments that have flourished in Lucas since the early 1900s, the World'
Lucas, KS One Of A KindsOil Patch Museum
Oil Patch Russell is a place to see, feel and learn about oil, the "Black Gold" that fuels man's imagination, as well as his machines. The story of the people and events that make up the history of oil in this area will come alive at Oil Patch Russell.
Russell, KS MuseumsEd Root Sculptures
Ed Root farmed south of Lucas until an automobile accident forced an early
Lucas, KS ArtsPost Rock Scenic Byway
The Post Rock Scenic Byway is, without a doubt, one of the prettiest drives in the State. It runs the 16-mile stretch along highway 232 from I-70 to K-18
Lucas, KS Scenic Drives