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Lucas, Kansas

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 1880s, fence post quarrying was added to the farming routine. Limestone assisted settlers to create a sign of permanence and progress in this area. Maybe you or your ancestors quarried stone for a home, barn, bridge, school or corral. Active stone masons can still be found in the Lucas area who custom make artwork out of limestone.

To preserve the heritage of building with limestone, the Grassroots Art Center staff has been documenting post rock design work in Russell and surrounding counties, and have developed a courtyard exhibit as a tribute to the stone masons who worked in the area from 1870 - 1920. The exhibit emphasizes the architectural, historical, and cultural value of post rock limestone, and incorporates at one place a concise and concentrated series of examples of construction and design detail, showing the many uses of the stone from the most utilitarian to the ornate and whimsical.

The scale model of the postrock courtyard area was created by a design team over an 18 month period. The team was composed of exhibit designer, Chuck Regier, landscape designer, Kathleen Pierson; stone carvers, staff, and local volunteers. High Plains Masonry is the firm erecting the wall sections for the courtyard area. Bruce Jones is the superintendent working along with masons, Greg Zabel, Chris Klein and Benny Benjamin.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Post 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

World'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 Kinds

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

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

Ed Root Sculptures

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

Lucas, KS Arts

Things to do near Lucas, KS

Largest Post Rock Slab in Kansas

This huge limestone post with the engraved words "Post Rock Country" is the largest post rock in Kansas. In it's entirety the...

80 Foot Wide Brick Streets

Take a walk along the 80 foot wide brick streets of downtown. WaKeeney was founded in 1879 by the efforts of a 33 year old Ch...