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
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 ArtsBrant's Meat Market
Stop by Brant's Meat Market and sample some of Doug's homemade bolonga fresh from the smokehouse. His specialty meats are made from family recipes passed down for three generations occupying this same downtown Lucas building.
Lucas, KSPostrock 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 ArtsWorld'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 KindsFlorence 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 ArtsCanyon 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 DrivesGrassroots 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 ArtsArt 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 BuildingsHeym-Oliver House
A renovated "post rock" limestone family home, showing a different style of sawn limestone. Located on "historic" Kansas Street.
Russell, KS Historic HomesGarden 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 KindsFossil 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 Arts