Russell, Kansas is proof that good things come in small packages.  This delightful, small community thrives in the Kansas rolling central grasslands.  The population was recorded at only 4,696 (Census 2000), but this bustling town boasts its own municipal airport and a fifty acre industrial site. It acts as the seat of Russell County, which covers 900 square miles and holds a population of just over 8,000.  This is a largely agricultural region of Kansas, though manufacturing is beginning to become a solid portion of the economy. Russell is the largest town in the area.

Located in the lovely Smoky Hill River Valley, early settlers needing to fence their land in this treeless region used the abundant natural limestone. Locally named “post rock”, the limestone is soft after being quarried and can be shaped easily into different forms. Much of the architecture and ornamentation, and all of the fence posts in the area are made from the limestone, giving the town a whimsical, quaint charm.

In the nearby community of Lucas, a must-see homestead awaits. The Garden of Eden was built in 1907. It is an 11-room limestone-log cabin with numerous eccentric sculptures surrounding it. Listed on the National Historic Register, it draws more than 10,000 visitors a year. Also found in Lucas is the unique Grassroots Art Center, which exhibits art made from unusual materials. The Post Rock Scenic Byway runs through Russell County, offering motorists a splendid drive, with many views of these unique limestone formations.

Russell itself has many wonderful places to visit. The Oil Patch Museum preserves the memories of when ‘black gold’ was discovered in the region. The Fossil Station Museum served as a jailhouse in Russell’s early years. Today it exhibits historical artifacts from the county’s pioneering days. The Gernon House is the first ‘post rock’ home built in the area. Fully restored to its original condition, this is a delightful place to see. Outdoor murals decorate the sides of buildings in town, and the Deines Cultural Center displays wood engravings from the famous artist E. Hubert Deines. This tiny Kansas town has much to offer.

The Russell Recreation Committee provides residents of all ages with plenty of activities. It sponsored funding for the Memorial Sports Park Complex, containing three regulation baseball diamonds, a nine hole golf course, a swimming pool and much more. Tournaments are held through the summer months, and many different sports programs are run here. Just eight miles from Russell lies beautiful Wilson Lake, the clearest and most pristine lake in Kansas. This 9100-acre lake is famous for its premier bass fishing. Hunters walk the 100 miles of shoreline in search of turkey, dear and pheasant. Five campgrounds and miles of mountain biking trails grace the area.

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