Land of Post Rock
Location: Lincoln,
Russell counties and vicinity. The "Post Rock Scenic Byway" runs along Hwy
K-232 from I-70 (exit 206) to Hwy K-18, and ending at the east edge of Lucas.
Post rocks are visible along many other roads in this area of Kansas.
Nearest Towns: Lucas, Lincoln, Russell
Stone
is one of the oldest building materials used by mankind. With the
coming of barb wire and the end of the open range, settlers on the treeless
plains of Central Kansas had a problem--no fence posts. They solved the
problem by quarrying limestone for use as posts. The stone they used comes
from a thin layer close to the surface in this area called the Greenhorn
Formation. The limestone is soft when it comes out of the ground and can
be drilled and shaved with hand tools. With time and exposure to air, it
hardens.
For
generations, these generally placid bovines have gazed past the
stone posts in this area at the greener grass on the other side of the fence.
(Special thanks to Connie Dougherty of the Lucas Chamber of Commerce for information on the Post Rock Scenic Byway.)