LUCAS — A driving tour of Post Rock Country structures and culture is scheduled for Saturday, May 5, leaving from the Grassroots Art Center in Lucas.
Post rock limestone is a unique layer of stone exposed near hill tops in north central Kansas. Early settlers used the stone layer for buildings and fence posts, hence the name “Post Rock Country” for the region where it occurs. The layer extends from the Nebraska border southwest-ward in Kansas into Hodgeman County.
The event, a driving tour of limestone quarry, structures of various kinds, will be from 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on May 5.
Participants will meet in Lucas then take private vehicles to tour stops in the Lucas/Sylvan Grove area, west to Paradise and then south to Russell where members of the Russell County Historical Society will host several stops and where the tour ends.
Stops will showcase structures both abandoned and still in use, including houses, a barn, root cellar, jail, water tower, well and pump house, stone posts and farm buildings. Owners/experts will be at each stop to share stories and knowledge about the historic site, use and maintenance of post rock limestone. The tour will also visit a quarry where the stone is extracted.
Lunch will be provided as well as refreshments. This is a “dare to do dirt” event, traveling unpaved roads at times. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for sun and wind.
The cost of the tour is $35 per person. For more information call 785-525-6118 or email grassroots@wtciweb.com. To reserve a place on the tour send checks by May 2 to Grassroots Art Center, 213 S. Main St., Lucas, KS 67648. Lodging is available in Lucas. Visit http://www.grassrootsart.net/ or https://www.lucaskansas.com/.