This tour can start at either I-70 exit 184, or exit 206, or from the Lucas and Russell exits off K-18 Hwy. If you take exit 184, turn north onto Hwy 281.  Drive one mile to the first stop light. Turn left on Hwy 40 driving 5 blocks to Lincoln Street and then turn right two blocks arriving at Lincoln Sculpture Park. Note the lime stone gateways.

Lincoln Sculpture Park introduces you to the many forms of art that you will encounter across the county. The treeless plains of the 1800's lead to quarrying limestone from the ground to not only construct business buildings and homes, but tombstones, fence posts, bridges, art and more.

The center piece of the park is the Seventh Trumpet; commonly know as Angel in the Park. It was constructed in 1988 with a grant from the Kansas Cultural Arts Commission and the Russell Arts Council Funds, to symbolize a turn-around of the local economy and a new beginning. The artist's idea was to portray that when the angel blows the 7^th trumpet, better times and new beginnings were ahead. Oil field and farm steel materials were used to construct the angel, symbolic of the oil and farm related livelihood of the area. The structure is 12-feet tall and rests on a five-foot base in the former gold fishpond. Six hundred feet of quarter inch malleable steel creates the figures hair. Trudy Furney, National Art Educator in Secondary Education in 1987, a recognized Kansas artist and retired Russell High School art instructor designed the symbol. Former students helped with construction. Note the detail of the sandal at the hem line.

As you enter the park your eyes will be immediately drawn to the limestone shelter house with its stone couch and tables. Constructed by President Roosevelt's Works Projects Administration (WPA funds) it makes a strong statement of the ingenuity and determination of men during the Great Depression. Note the flag stone floor.

The abstract sculpture Roughnecks was created by Richard Bergen of Salina, Kansas. It is his interpretation of two oil field hands working the floor of an oil field rotary rig. He sees them as working opposite of each other over a set of tongs that are used to tighten together a section of drill pipe going back into the hole. He used steel as a medium depicting the oil field industry us of iron and steel. The sculpture was dedicated in 1987 to the City of Russell and was a gift from the Russell Arts Council. It makes a strong statement of the ingenuity and determination of men. In addition the Roughnecks in the park, the larger- than- life size bronze Bronco displayed at the Russell High School was created by Bergen. He also created the Kansa Indian that sits atop the Kansas State Capital dome in Topeka.

The miniature Statue of Liberty is made of stamped copper and stands 8 feet tall. It was placed there by Boy Scouts in 1950 at a cost of $300. The initial idea came from Jack Whitaker of Kansas City to construct small statues across the nation to "Strengthen the Arm of Liberty" However, the National Sculpture Society said they were too cheap and would not last.

The bronze Brundage Memorial by F. R. "Rags" Wentworth of Russell is only one of his creations. He also created the carved relief sculpture mural of Indians and ponies above the entrance of the Ruppenthal Middle School. The original cast is on display at Fossil Station Museum.

Depart the park to Fourth Street; turn right two blocks to Main Street. Note the limestone court house. Turn left travel to Sixth and Main turn left one block to the Post Office for a view inside of the 1939 painting "Harvest". It is a WPA project and is on the National Historic Registry as well as the building..

Return to Main Street and head left to Bricker Park to view limestone sculptures by Gary Christie.  You will also see Christie's sculptures at the Oil Patch Museum, businesses around town,  and at his home in Luray. Note the black vintage lamp posts along Main Street. Each post is labeled and dedicated. Ask for a walking brochure.

Take a break on the side walk patio of Espresso Etc., or lunch at Historic Waudby's Sports Bar and Grill.

Deines Cultural Center across the street from Bricker Park houses a permanent collection of the world famous engraver of wood block prints and carving tools of Hubert Deines. In addition other artist fine art shows open every 5-6 weeks with a reception . The center also hosts an acoustic jam session every third Sunday.

Depart Russell on Hwy 281 North 15 miles to K-18 East to Luray. Your drive through of this quaint town will lead you by other Christie limestone carvings. Note the old lime stone Methodist church.

Depart on K-18 East for 10 miles to Lucas the "Grassroots Art Capital of Kansas".  Lucas has received the Governor's Tourism Award and was voted one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Art.

The Grassroots Art Center features art made by self-taught artists working outside the academic structure of fine art and beyond the cultural traditions of folk art.  The Grassroots Art Center houses the work of 17 untrained artists of the region, and the Post Rock Limestone courtyard, a tribute to early stonemasons.

                                 Grassroots Art Center

The Deeble Sculpture Garden is a continuation of the arts center tour. School teacher, Florence Deeble, watched S. P. Dinsmoor build the Garden of Eden as a child and as she grew older she created postcard scenes from concrete in her backyard. The scenes are of her favorite vacation spots.

Deeble Sculpture Garden                                          Garden of Eden

The next stop is the World Famous Garden of Eden. Created by retired Civil War Veteran S. P. Dinsmoor. the Garden of Eden has been an attraction since 1907. Over 150 three story concrete structures show the pioneering spirit of this town that embraces art by everyday people. The Garden of Eden, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, also consists of a stone log cabin home and a mausoleum where Mr. Dinsmoor and his first wife are buried. Mr. Dinsmoor's body is on display for the brave to view.

While in Lucas stop and see the Flying Pig Studio & Gallery famous for whimsical porcelain ceramic sculptures created by artist and owner Eric Abraham.

Next door the Flying Pig Studio & Gallery is Brant's Meat Market, voted one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Commerce. Brant's is famous for their homemade Czech Bologna and Janternice.

Just down the block south of the Garden of Eden you will find the World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest versions of the World's Largest Things. Creator Erika Nelson traveled the United States to find the world's largest things then fashioned the world's smallest version of them for her exhibit. They are always available to view in the mobile museum parked in her backyard. If Erika is home she will be glad to give you a personal tour.

          Mobile Museum                                                        Travel Plate

Return to K-18 East for a photo opportunity at the World's Largest Travel Plate before turning south on K-232 the Post Rock Scenic Byway that will carry you across the beautiful Wilson Lake Dam.

Enjoy dinner at the K-18 Cafe in Lucas, then continue to downtown Bunker Hill and enjoy a delicious dinner in historic Bunker Hill Cafe, or travel 9 miles to Russell for a buffet dinner at Meridy's Restaurant & Lounge, Log Cabin, Peking Garden Chinese Restaurant, Waudby's Sports Bar & Grill or indulge in any of selection of seven fast food outlets.