Russell County: Art, Limestone, and Wilson Lake

Rugged shorelines, art in unusual buildings, and museums exploring the county’s history give Russell County a diverse character. You can focus your stay on nature and water or discover places centered on architecture, art, and regional history.

Wilson Reservoir: Cliffs, Wildlife, and Water

At Wilson Reservoir, a rugged shoreline, dramatic cliffs, and rock outcrops shape the landscape. In Wilson State Park and the surrounding wildlife area, you can watch and photograph deer, pheasants, waterfowl, songbirds, and fur-bearing animals. At Wilson Lake, activities include canoeing, motorboating, sailing, water skiing, and recreational boating. Wildlife watching and a range of water activities offer different ways to enjoy the area.

The Post Rock Scenic Byway offers a distinctive experience, too. It runs for 16 miles along Highway 232 from I-70 to K-18 near Lucas. Along the route, you can take in views of historic limestone fence posts and sweeping landscapes. The byway combines a specific driving route with characteristic regional scenery; it can be planned as a destination in its own right, not just as a way to reach a single museum.

Art and Architectural History

The Grassroots Art Center is located on Main Street in Lucas in three locally built limestone buildings dating from around the turn of the 20th century. It exhibits and promotes appreciation of self-taught and outsider art, especially art environments. The art themes and the historic buildings offer two distinct perspectives on a visit: the works on display and the setting in which they are shown.

Another architectural story is tied to the Garden of Eden. S. P. Dinsmoor began building the Garden of Eden and his Cabin Home in 1904, at the age of 64. Post Rock limestone was used for the exterior of the Cabin Home. The site thus brings together a specific construction date and a regionally characteristic material. Seasonal tours offer access to the interior of the house; access to the mausoleum is also available. Check which tour options are offered for your visit date.

Bowl Plaza combines art with an everyday public function: the public restroom is decorated with mosaics and grew out of a shared idea developed by the community, the Grassroots Art Center, and local artists. This example complements the museum and architectural stories with a community art project in a public space.

Museums and County History

The Oil Patch Museum focuses on the history of the Lucky Seven and the Carrie Oswald #1 oil well. An outdoor exhibit features historic cable-tool rigs, rotary rigs, pulling units, steam engines, and pumpjacks. The topics range from the history of a named oil well to the machinery associated with oil production.

Other collections also focus on specific aspects of history: the Dorrance Historical Society Museum displays buggies, buckboards, and agricultural equipment from the community’s history. The Deines Cultural Center offers art exhibitions and activities, musical events and concerts, as well as educational and historical programs. The Reiff Building once housed an opera house on the second floor of a downtown commercial building. The Gernon House has been restored to its original condition and is the oldest stone house in Russell County.

The Fossil Station Museum was built in 1907 as the county jail, sheriff’s office, and living quarters. Visits are available by private appointment arranged in advance. For summer 2024, the Grassroots Art Center listed step-free entrances, ramps and an elevator, wheelchair-accessible exhibition areas, and materials in alternative formats. Confirm the current status of this information before visiting.

Plan Your Stay

Choose the destinations that match your travel interests.

Discover more destinations: Lucas, Russell, Geary County, Ford County, Crawford, Shawnee County, Harvey County, Anderson.

For the broader travel overview: Kansas.