Lucas in Russell County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Roy and Clara Miller's Park

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 21, 2022

1. Roy and Clara Miller's Park Marker

Inscription.
Created by Roy and Clara Miller as an oasis for weary travelers, Miller's Park was originally located on the west edge of town. The park opened in 1921, with sculpture construction started in 1932. The site was much loved by all of Lucas.

In 1969, the site was sold to settle the estate and sculptures moved to Hays, Kansas.

In 2013, the sculptures came home to Lucas, a gift of Henry Schwaller IV and Kohler Foundation, Inc.

Welcome to the new Miller's Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.

Location. 39° 3.478′ N, 98° 32.071′ W. Marker is in Lucas, Kansas, in Russell County. Marker is on East 2nd Street east of South Kansas Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located at the northwest corner of the park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 304 East 2nd Street, Lucas KS 67648, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 16 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Garden of Eden (within shouting distance of this marker); Post Rock Limestone and the Czechoslovakian Immigrant Experience (approx. 0.2 miles away); Post Rock Scenic Byway

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(approx. 6.4 miles away); Dinner Bell and Stone Post from the William Garrett Ranch in the 1890's (approx. 15.6 miles away); Mary Ann "Mother" Bickerdyke: A Kansas Legend (approx. 15.6 miles away); Hitching Post From The John J. Gross Homestead (approx. 15.7 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. Miller's Park Sculptures.

Roy and Clara Miller began building a rest stop on Kansas Highway 18 in 1921. Starting in 1932, they added a rock garden and miniature buildings using rocks and shells they brought home from their travels and until the 1960s, travelers stopping at Miller's Park found rock & concrete sculptures, fresh water, cabins, a playground and picnic tables. The property was sold in 1969 and the rock sculptures were moved to Hays, Kansas where they were called Frontier Village. Frontier Village had a much shorter life and for over 40 years the Miller's Park sculptures sat ignored in a field near Hays. The Kohler Foundation, which has worked to save grassroots art many places, joined with local volunteers to preserve the surviving 45 pieces and return them to the new Miller's Park in Lucas.

(Submitted on December 25, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Lucas, Kansas.

In
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 21, 2022

2. Roy and Clara Miller's Park Marker
(marker is mounted on fence at northwest corner of the park)
1996, Kansas Governor Bill Graves named Lucas the "Grassroots Art Capital of Kansas" due to the number of sites in the community devoted to local folk art. The Garden of Eden is a permanent outdoor sculpture exhibit built between 1905 and 1927 by local sculptor Samuel P. Dinsmoor. The Grassroots Arts Center is a non-profit gallery located downtown which promotes and exhibits the work of Kansas folk artists. Other folk art sites in the city include late, porcelain artist, Eric Abraham's Flying Pig Studio & Gallery, The World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Version of the World's Largest Things traveling museum, Bowl Plaza, Miller's park, Fork Art Park, historical mural and the World's Largest Travel Plate.

(Submitted on December 25, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

First store in Elbon 1886 - Rock Sculpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 21, 2022

3. First store in Elbon 1886 - Rock Sculpture

First store in Elbon 1886 owned by Isaac N. Jack. Merchandise, hardware & grease's & Groceries. In short time Elbon was named Lucas. Hauled merchandise by wagon from Wilson.
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1886 Living Quarters

Miller's Park Rock Sculptures image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 21, 2022

4. Miller's Park Rock Sculptures

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 21, 2022

5. Miller's Park Rock Sculptures

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 21, 2022

6. Miller's Park Rock Sculptures

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 21, 2022

7. Miller's Park Rock Sculptures

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 21, 2022

8. Miller's Park Rock Sculptures

Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 127 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on December 25, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.