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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 is known as Kansas’s clearest lake. Fishermen, hunters, boaters and campers enjoy the 9,000 acre lake year round.
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.
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Chelsey was the first face carved by Fred Whitman. She stands on the east side of Hwy 232 just south of Decker road.
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Janea was the 2nd face carved on a limestone fencepost. She is on the west side of Hwy 232 just south of Saline road.
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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.
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The 28 mile long Switchgrass Mountain Bike Trail is "IMBA Epic" rated. Bikers from all over the United States come to ride the 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.
K-18 Cafe
5495 KS-18
Lucas, KS 67648
Brant’s Market
125 S Main Street
Lucas, KS 67648
Fly Boy Brewery & Eats
105 N Main Street
Sylvan Grove, KS 67481
The Feedlot Bar & Grill
116 N Main Street
Sylvan Grove, KS 67481
Made From Scratch
527 27th Street
Wilson, KS 67490
The Sample Room Tavern
414 26th Street
Wilson, KS 67490
The Barn
414 26th Street
Wilson, KS 67490
Snack Shack
Old Hwy 40
Wilson, KS 67490
785-658-2600
Summer hours 11am-9pm, M-Su
Winter hours 11am-4pm, Sat-Tues
11am-7pm Wed-Fri
414 North Main Street, Lucas KS 67648 WIFI available, Rental motel rooms, Rates available for days, weekends, or monthly
647 East 1st Street, Lucas KS 67648 Rental cabins, RV Park, WIFI available
207 North Russell, Lucas KS 67648 Rentals, apartments, housing, RV Park, Laundry
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
414 26th Street
Wilson, KS 67490
(785) 658-2284
821 27th Street
Wilson, KS 67490
(785) 658-2480
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
Quad City Garage Sales 1st Saturday in October
Kansas Originals Events throughout the year
Quad City Garage Sales 1st Saturday in October
Eagle Days February
Switchgrass Mountain Bike Races throughout the year
Fishing Tournaments throughout the year
Bluestem Quarry & Stoneworks
Old Blue Studio & Proving Grounds
Brant’s Market
125 S Main Street
Lucas, KS 67648
Bowl Plaza
121 South Main
Lucas, KS
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
Grassroots Art Center
Lucas Area Community Theater
Millers Park
Standing Dog Gallery
Switchgrass
World’s Largest Souvenir Travel Plate
World’s Largest Expo
Fly Boy Brewery & Eats
105 N Main Street
Sylvan Grove, KS 67481
Lincoln County Fair
Ranch Rodeo
Sylvan Sale Barn
Yesteryear House Museum
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
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.
$50 annually
$20 annually
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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