Garden of Eden

We were doing the Kansas Post Rock Scenic Byway that runs from Wilson (2 miles south of I-70) to Lucas (approximately 18 miles north of I-70). While in Lucas, we stopped to see the Garden of Eden. This is a real kitschy, quirky place. This is the work of an eccentric artist whose house is made of concrete and who created all kinds (a lot of bibical) of concrete sculptures. He's been dead for over 90 years and is buried in a backyard mausoleum.Wierd. Not worth the 16-18 mile (one-way) detour from I-70. BUT, if you're in Lucas already, stop by.

Although growing up in Las Vegas from infancy, my boyfriends parents are from a small town in central Kansas. He'd visit as a child and through the course of dating, I've heard the story about how he could have potentially been extremely traumatized as a child when he was brought to a crazy old coot's concrete house and got to see his dead body at the age of 8, many a time. So when the opportunity arose for me to visit his family in Kansas, I was pretty much forced to come to this oddity in Lucas so I could see what the heck these people were talking about. Oddly enough, I found the house, the artwork and the mausoleum/dead body fairly interesting and well worth the trip and the $9 entry fee. It's astounding that someone from the 1900's, in his 60s would do all of this work. Was he the best artist? No. But the story alone here is worth the trip. There is a lot too see and take in. Plus, if you're morbid and want to see how a controlled decomposition looks like, he's here for you. Overall, recommend if you're even mildly close to the area.

Weird and cool. The statues look better in person. It's a great place to visit if you're ever in the area. The self-guided tour on their website is very informative and explains all the statues.

Hereth lies Mr. Dinsmore, dead for 88 years who you can view in his mausoleum in the backyard of his house. When I decided to go through KS and see the stuff I hadn't seen (World's largest Ball of Twine.....), a few people in the Lawrence Kansas group on FB, said, "You can't miss Lucas, stay near Lucas. Visit Garden of Eden." So I stayed in Wilson, Ks, 16 minutes away from Lucas. Lucas is another town that Patrick Mahomes cans throw a football through. On my first day in Ks, I had time to visit Garden of Eden. (Pics to follow).It's a concrete wound artistic vine structure of a house built entirely out of cement to look like wood, built by Mr. Dinsmore. He even built a zoo, and in the museum tour of the house (which you must see). There are the ruins of the wild animal zoo in the back yard among the twisted curvy vine and concrete sculptures made by Mr. Dinsmore. Mr. Dinsmore was a man who wanted attention, which is why he built the wild animal zoo. When his wife died, he built concrete angels. He was politically minded and sculpted that as well. This house is only one of the sites in Lucas. I have no idea what is in their water, but surely it comes from the giant toilet over on Main street. For $8 Garden of Eden absolutely must see. I want to return so bad and go through it again.

Interesting place to visit that is made out of concrete and all the political statements of art statues that were made of concrete as well.

A colleague recommended this 16 mile off I-70 excursion to Lucas, TX. I'm glad she did, because it's fascinating! If you enjoy history and eclectic art, this site is a must see. Interpretations of Genesis as well as the Populist movement are interesting. Unique is the best word.

Wow. This place is a trip. In the middle of a quiet little residential street in Lucas, kansas, all of a sudden this place pops out. Everything is made of concrete. No matter how much it looks like something else -- it's concrete. Amazing!!But -- This guy (Mr. Dinsmoor) was totally cuckoo. Here's what my little book said:"Biblical scenes are interspersed with political messages. In the backyard, Labor is crucified while a banker, lawyer, preacher, and doctor nod approvingly. On one pillar, an octopus representing monopolies and trusts grabs at the world. A soldier and a child are trapped in two of its tentacles. Ms Liberty later drives a spear through the head of another trust octopus..."Dinsmoor started this place in 1905, at 64 y/o, his concrete home opened as a tourist attraction way back in 1908, while he kept building (and romancing -- he married a 20 y/o in 1924. -- and there's a story of her burial. Stubbornness or love, you tell me) Dinsmoor is buried in a special glass-sided coffin on site.

What can I say - this is a Kansas treasure. If you like history, art, or oddities this is a place not to be missed.

This place is 100% B.A.N.A.N.A.S. Do you like... Outsider art? Cement statues depicting Bible scenes AND pseudo-socialist ideology? Taxidermy? Looking at decomposing human corpses? Strawberry patches?Then you really should make the drive out to Lucas and check this place out. It really is one-of-a-kind and it's virtually inexplicable unless you go and check it out yourself.

I reserved an AirBnB in Lucas that is right across the street from this gem. I only looked in from the outside because it was closed and off season. Now I want to return and explore fully. It is an amazing work of naive art from a man who had a very interesting set of populist political views and obviously a fascinating life. I highly recommend this as a stop for the photo ops alone. The town has other folk art fancies as it is the folk art capital of KS. Next time if. I am there during the day I will definitely check out the local Czech meat market.