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Lucas Area Chamber of Commerce

Lucas Area Chamber of CommerceLucas Area Chamber of CommerceLucas Area Chamber of Commerce

Lucas Area Chamber of Commerce

Lucas Area Chamber of CommerceLucas Area Chamber of CommerceLucas Area Chamber of Commerce
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    • Home
    • Visit
      • Attractions
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      • Post Rock Scenic Byway
      • Plan Your Trip
    • Events
      • Events
      • Adams Apple Festival
      • April Fools-A-Palooza
    • Members
    • Contact Us

  • Home
  • Visit
    • Attractions
    • Lodging
    • Post Rock Scenic Byway
    • Plan Your Trip
  • Events
    • Events
    • Adams Apple Festival
    • April Fools-A-Palooza
  • Members
  • Contact Us

Post Rock Scenic Byway

Breathtaking Views

Lucas is nestled in the heart of Post Rock Country and the Smoky Hills region of Kansas.  At the junction of K-18 and K-232 highways in Russell County. Six miles north of beautiful Wilson Lake, the "Clearest Lake in Kansas". The Post Rock Scenic Byway stretches from the town of Wilson, winds around Wilson Lake, and ends in Lucas which boasts a leading small-town art scene. 

What is Post Rock?

Post Rock limestone is a stone bed in the Great Plains notable for its red iron oxide streak and its historic use as fencing and construction material in north-central Kansas, resulting in unique cultural expression. The source of this stone is the topmost layer of the Greenhorn Limestone formation.

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Attractions

Events
Food
Lodging

Nature & Recreation Sites

Points of Interest

An American Original

The Pioneer Spirit

The rolling Post Rock Scenic Byway follows the natural twists and turns of the land, winding through crop and pasture land in a section of Kansas with a rich heritage that is uniquely American.


Miles of stone fence posts stand as tribute to the ingenuity of the early settlers. these innovative farmers and ranchers solved their fencing problems on the treeless plains by quarrying rock to use as fence posts. The stone posts have become a trademark of the Smoky Hills region. The stone used for posts and homestead building was quarried from bedrock found near the earth’s surface. This rock is chalky limestone of roughly uniform thickness, approximately 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 the air, it hardens and becomes wether resistant.

Nature’s Roller Coaster

The byway sweeps around Wilson Lake over the geological formations of the river valley creating a natural roller coaster. The endless sky overhead is a favorite of photographer, especially at sunrise and sunset.


The Post Rock Scenic Byway passes through a variety of wildlife habitats. Over 225 species of birds, including waterfowl and bald eagles, are known to visit the Wilson Lake region in a year’s time. Wilson Lake offers a wide variety of recreational activities including: camping, hunting, nature trails, bicycling, boating, skiing, swimming, fishing, fisheries, and Rocktown Cove. Wilson Lake is also home of the Switchgrass Mountain bike trail, a favorite among bicycling enthusiasts.

Inspiring Faces and Places

The Post Rock region has been a magnet for individuals of talent and vision. The town of Lucas, the “Grassroots Capital of Kansas,” is home of the Garden of Eden, the Grassroots Art Center, Florence Deeble‘s Rock Garden, and Roy and Clara Miller’s Park.


The Garden of Eden sculptures and cabin home were built by Samuel Perry Dinsmoor, a retired school teacher and Civil War veteran. This unique garden and home was started in 1907 and was worked on by Dinsmoor until his death in 1932. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.


The Grassroots Art Center exhibits work by self taught artists, including Inez Marshall’s limestone sculptures, Ed Root’s glass-embellished concrete monuments, Leroy Wilson’s painted mosaic walls, as well as MT Liggett’s metal totems and Herman Divers’ pull tab motorcycle and car.


The Post Rock Courtyard behind the Grassroots Art Center typifies settlers’ use of stone for practical purposes as well as for ‘ornamentation beyond necessity.” The courtyard displays posts, stone blocks, arch construction, and cornerstone and lintel ornamentation.


Lucas is al so home to the ”2nd Best Restroom in America”, the Bowl Plaza. A unique art enviroment in itself, the Bowl Plaza. A unique art enviroment in itself, the Bowl Plaza also serves as a public restroom, and welcomes hundreds of visitors each year. In 2018, the Bowl Plaza was voted the “International Toilet Tourism Award” for quirkiest experience.


The town of Wilson is the “Czech Capital of Kansas.” Each year Wilson hosts the Czech Festival, a tribute in food, song, dance, and crafts to the cultural heritage of the Czech pioneers. It is the home of the wWorld’s Largest Hand Painted Czech Egg and the Kansas Originals Market and Gallery. Downtown Wilson offers architectural beauty in its Main Street Historical District. An unique, round limestone jail and the Midland Hotel are just some of the sites to see.


Nearby Sylvan Grove houses the Yesteryear House Museum, as well as the Fly Boy Brewery and Eats. Fly Boy’s is a family owned brewery and restaurant with great food, beer, and atmosphere.

Discover the Post Rock Scenic Byway

Post Rock Scenic Byway

The 20 mile long Post Rock Scenic Byway runs along K-232, across the Wilson Lake Dam, from Lucas to Wilson in central Kansas. The byway showcases the native limestone fence posts and farm steads built by the early settlers. The stone was used for building material because of the lack of trees.

Lucas

Lucas was designated the Grassroots Art Capital of Kansas in 1996 by then Governor Graves. Lucas is home to the "World Famous" Garden of Eden, Grassroots Art Center, Miller's Park, Deeble Sculpture Garden, Fork Art Park and Bowl Plaza.

Wilson Lake

Wilson Lake is known as Kansas’s clearest lake. Fishermen, hunters, boaters and campers enjoy the 9,000 acre lake year round.

Faces in Stone

Along the byway you will discover 4 Faces in Stone carved into the limestone fence posts. Between K-18 highway and the Wilson Lake Dam   watch for Chelsey, Janea, Bill and  Leo D. The faces were carved by California artist Fred Whitman. There are more carved stone posts in Lucas.   

Leo Dee was a plumber. He stands on the north side of K-18 Hwy at the end of the Lucas Airport.
39.05649, -98.52665


Chelsey was the first face carved by Fred Whitman. She stands on the east side of Hwy 232 just south of Decker road.
38.98659, -98.52246


Janea was the 2nd face carved on a limestone fencepost. She is on the west side of Hwy 232 just south of Saline road.
39.02986, -98.52219


Bill is the latest Face in Stone along the Post Rock Scenic Byway He stands on the east side of Hwy 232 about 200' N of mile marker 16.

39.03931, -98.52220

Switchgrass Mountain Bike Trail

Switchgrass Mountain Bike Trail

Switchgrass Mountain Bike Trail, Wilson Lake

The 28 mile long Switchgrass Mountain Bike Trail is "IMBA Epic" rated. Bikers from all over the United States come to ride the trail.

Wilson Czech Eggs

Switchgrass Mountain Bike Trail

The community of Wilson at the south end of the byway has the World's Largest Czech Egg plus several mini Czech Eggs scattered around their historic downtown. Wilson is known as the Czech Capital of Kansas.

Food

Lucas

K-18 Cafe

5495 KS-18

Lucas, KS 67648

(785) 525-6262


Brant’s Market

125 South Main Street

Lucas, KS 67648

(785) 525-6464


Switchgrass

208 South Main Street

Lucas, Kansas

switchgrasscoop.com

Sylvan Grove

Fly Boy Brewery & Eats

105 N Main Street

Sylvan Grove, KS 67481

(785) 526-7800


The Feedlot Bar & Grill

116 N Main Street 

Sylvan Grove, KS 67481 

(785)-526-7376

Wilson

Made From Scratch

527 27th Street

Wilson, KS 67490

(785) 658-3300


The Sample Room Tavern

414 26th Street

Wilson, KS 67490

(785) 658-2284


The Barn

414 26th Street

Wilson, KS 67490

(785) 658-2284

Snack Shack

Old Hwy 40

Wilson, KS 67490

785-658-2600

Summer hours 11 am-9 pm, M-Su

Winter hours 11 am-4 pm, Sat-Tues

11 am-7 pm Wed-Fri

Lucas Lodging

Horseshoe Lodge

 

414 North Main Street, Lucas KS 67648 WIFI available, Rental motel rooms, Rates  available  for  days, weekends, or monthly 

785-525-7717

Horseshoe Lodge

Set in Stone Cabins & RV Park

 

647 East 1st Street, Lucas KS 67648  Rental cabins, RV Park, WIFI available

785-337-3790  

Set in Stone Cabins 

Lucas RV Park & Laundry

 207 North Russell, Lucas KS 67648 Rentals, apartments, housing, RV Park, Laundry  

785-525-6236 or 785-658-7228 

Cozy Cottage

 

410 W. 1st, Lucas, KS 67648

WIFI Available

​785-432-1811 

Cozy Cottage

Garden View Lodge

 

304 East 2nd Street, Lucas KS 67648 

 Rental house, days or weekends 

785-658-6607

Garden View Lodge

Sunset Getaways

 

 Quiet area with a lot of area around the property to park vehicles or boats. 5 acres around the house if your pets need to stretch their legs. Located 6 miles from Wilson Lake if you enjoy boating,  swimming , fishing,  or just enjoy being around the lake. Rent on Airbnb.com

Airbnb Website

Wilson Lodging

Midland Railroad Hotel

Simple Haven Bed & Breakfast

Simple Haven Bed & Breakfast

414 26th Street 

Wilson, KS 67490 
(785) 658-2284

Simple Haven Bed & Breakfast

Simple Haven Bed & Breakfast

Simple Haven Bed & Breakfast

615 27th Street

Wilson, KS 67490 

(785)  658-3814

Wilson RV Park

Simple Haven Bed & Breakfast

Wilson RV Park

821 27th Street

Wilson, KS 67490
(785) 658-2480

Points of Interest on or near the Byway

Scenic Places

  • Overlook at the east end of Wilson Lake dam mile marker #9
  • Overlook at the west end of Wilson Lake dam mile marker #10
  • Limestone fence posts along the byway
  • Faces carved into limestone posts by Decker Road, north and south of Saline Road
  • Dakota Sandstone formations along the byway

Nature and Recreational Sites

  • Wilson Lake, boating, swimming, fishing, windsurfing, hunting, camping, picnicking
  • Wildlife watching, interpretative programs
  • Wilson Lake Wildlife Area
  • Burr Oak Trail, behind the Wilson Lake dam, .75 mile trail with 23 interpretative stations
  • Dakota Trail, Wilson Lake Park, .5 or 1 mile loop trail with 12 interpretative stations
  • Red Cedar Trail, Otoe Park, .75 mile handicapped trail 
  • Rocktown Trail, Lucas Park, 3 miles handicapped trail 
  • Prairie Fire Trail, Minooka Park, 2.37 mile
  • Switchgrass Mountain Bike Trail, 23 miles, this is the only Epic trail between the Ozarks and the Rockies, and the North Dakota Badlands and Big Bend on the Rio Grande. Switchgrass is in the middle of Kansas, on the shores of the state’s most beautiful lake!

Events

Lucas

April Fools-A-Palooza April 1st

Adam’s Apple Festival the Saturday before Labor Day weekend in August

Quad City Garage Sales 1st Saturday in October

Sylvan Grove

Lincoln County Fair

Quad City Garage Sales 1st Saturday in October

Wilson

Czech Festival

Kansas Originals Events throughout the year

Quad City Garage Sales 1st Saturday in October

Wilson Lake

Eagle Days February 

Wings Over Wilson May

Switchgrass Mountain Bike Races throughout the year

Fishing Tournaments throughout the year

Lucas Attractions

Bluestem Quarry & Stoneworks


Old Blue Studio & Proving Grounds


Brant’s Market

125 S Main Street

Lucas, KS 67648

(785) 525-6464


Bowl Plaza

121 South Main 

Lucas, KS

785-525-6118


Czech Heritage Mural

an Erika Nelson original

Sierer Family Mini Park

Between the Lucas Community Center and Brants Market on South Main Street

Lucas, Kansas 


DADA Muse’Um - by appointment


Deeble Sculpture Garden

National Register of Historic Places


Garden of Eden

305 East Second Street

Lucas, Kansas

785-525-6395


Grassroots Art Center

Lucas Area Community Theater

Millers Park

Standing Dog Gallery

Switchgrass

World’s Largest Souvenir Travel Plate

World’s Largest Expo

Sylvan Grove Attractions

Fly Boy Brewery & Eats

105 N Main Street

Sylvan Grove, KS 67481

(785) 526-7800


Lincoln County Fair

Ranch Rodeo

Sylvan Sale Barn

Yesteryear House Museum

Wilson Attractions

Antique Shops 

Civil War Memorial

Disc Golf

Kansas Originals Market and Gallery

Midland Mercantile

Midland Railroad Hotel

Small Czech Eggs

Round Limestone Jail 

Splash Pad Water Park

World’s Largest Hand Painted Egg

Veteran’s Memorial 

Be Local, Buy Local

We know our business members are an integral part of our community. We are dedicated to maintaining a support network for businesses and promoting them through our many public events.

Chamber News

Become a Lucas Area Chamber of Commerce Member

Business Members

$50 annually

Individual Members

$20 annually

Benefits

  • Support community events
  • Get involved in Lucas
  • Network
  • Receive discounts on our social events

Join

Come to our next meeting!

Every 3rd Thursday of the month

except December

6 PM

135 South Main

use South Entrance

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