Garden of Eden in Lucas, Kansas: An Attraction You Won't Forget

On a 16-day road trip across Kansas I-70, my friend Sara (of Travel with Sara) and I stumbled upon the Garden of Eden in Lucas, Kansas. This extraordinary site, with over 200 sculptures, including Adam and Eve, an angel, the devil, Cain and Abel, and serpents, is as fascinating as it is eerie. Wait until you get a look at this town you won’t forget.

The Eclectic Garden of Eden Cabin House and Mausoleum

Lucas’s most renowned resident was Samuel P. Dinsmoor, a Civil War veteran and creator of the Garden of Eden. This unique North Central Kansas attraction, open daily, captures Dinsmoor’s vision of society’s demise through the lens of the Populist movement.

From 1907, completing his masterpiece took him 22 years, 113 tons of cement, and local post-rock limestone. Dinsmoor’s legacy lives on, as he is interred in a handmade glass-topped concrete coffin in the pyramid-looking mausoleum behind his property.

Though photos are not allowed, you can view his resting place on a guided tour. The Garden of Eden, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, attracts nearly 10,000 visitors annually. Tickets are $8 for ages 12 and over.

The most striking scene for me was a crucified Jesus, surrounded by a doctor, lawyer, preacher, and banker—those Dinsmoor felt were responsible for His fate.

Grassroots Art Center

The Grassroots Art Center is another treasure in Lucas, Kansas. It features exhibits from 25 self-taught Midwest artists, offering a mix of intricate and whimsical pieces that will either make you laugh or scratch your head in awe. Admission is $9 for adults and $5 for children ages 6 to 12.

Permanent galleries include limestone carvings, concrete rock gardens, barbed wire art, wire sculptures, mechanical wood carvings, and bottle creations. Many artworks are crafted from recycled and unconventional materials.

A paid admission also grants access to Mri-Pilar’s Garden of Isis, a nearby house with seven rooms filled with astonishing creations made from recycled materials. This unique display includes computer motherboards, buttons, fashion dolls, toys, games, mosaics, and more, all dedicated to the deity Isis.

Check the hours online as they fluctuate with the season. Also, step around back to see the cool miniature rock cities and settings.

Bowl Plaza

Bowl Plaza, an award-winning public toilet, is another quirky attraction in Lucas. Voted the 2018 International Toilet Tourism Award for the quirkiest entry, this rest area is unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

The public Lucas restrooms are playfully designed like a toilet, with the entrance created to look like a raised seat lid. The highly photographed bathrooms are adorned with mosaics made from trinkets, treasures, and trash. They’re a hit, drawing 15,000 guests a year.

I found the men’s room more exciting than the women’s, but both are worth a visit for those seeking offbeat experiences.

Other Interesting Sights Around Lucas

Lucas is an artsy town; even the light poles have decorations. The street-side park is called American Fork Art, so it’s whimsical and a bit cheesy. You’ll find the Lucas mural on the side street, down from the library.

Don’t miss Miller Park, featuring miniature buildings made from rocks, minerals, and shells collected over 32 years from family road trips to Colorado. Another intriguing site is Florence Deebie’s Rock Garden, depicting postal scenes across America made from concrete and native rocks.

A personal favorite was Brant’s Market, which has been serving homemade specialty meats since 1922. The family recipes have been passed down through generations, and the flavors are exceptional. Sara and I picked up jalapeño cheese brats, smoked sausages, and craft sodas for our journey. Their handcrafted bologna is particularly renowned.

A Town Worth Getting Off the Highway For

Lucas, Kansas, is a hidden gem worth exploring. It’s an excellent reason to detract from your highway road trip. Be sure to check out the World’s Largest Things Museum, which houses the world’s largest collection of the world’s smallest versions of the world’s largest things—a tongue-in-cheek and unique roadside attraction.