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
Ed Root Sculptures
Ed Root farmed south of Lucas until an automobile accident forced an early
Lucas, KS ArtsGrassroots 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 ArtsRussell 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 MarkersWorld'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 KindsGarden 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 ArtsDeines 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 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 HomesGernon 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 MuseumsOil 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 MuseumsArt 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 BuildingsOutdoor Murals
This mural is painted on the side of the building bordering Cecil Bricker Park at 8th and Main in downtown Russell.
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, KS