Lucas, Kansas
Encyclopedia
Lucas is a city in Russell County
, Kansas
, United States
. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 393.
, the city has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²), all of it land. It lies in the Smoky Hills
region of the Great Plains
approximately 8 miles (12.9 km) north of Wilson Lake
. Wolf Creek, a tributary of the Saline River
, flows east along the southern edge of the city. Located in north-central Kansas at the junction of Kansas Highway 18 (K-18)
and Kansas Highway 232 (K-232)
, Lucas is 115 miles (185.1 km) northwest of Wichita
, 212 miles (341.2 km) west of Kansas City
, and 21 miles (33.8 km) northeast of Russell
, the county seat
.
was 786 people per square mile (303.5/km²). There were 257 housing units at an average density of 514 per square mile (183.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.7% White, 0.8% Asian, 0.3% American Indian
, 0.8% from some other race, and 0.5% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1.5% of the population.
There were 192 households out of which 22.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples
living together, 2.1% had a male householder with no wife present, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.8% were non-families. 42.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.05, and the average family size was 2.79.
In the city, the population was spread out with 21.1% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 17.3% from 25 to 44, 29.8% from 45 to 64, and 26.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males age 18 and over.
As of 2009, the median income for a household in the city was $30,962, and the median income for a family was $51,875. Males had a median income of $30,000 versus $24,861 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $18,666. About 5.7% of families and 12.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.8% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.
form of government. The city council
consists of five members, and it meets on the second Tuesday of each month.
299, based in Sylvan Grove, Kansas
. The district operates one school in the city: Lucas-Sylvan Unified Elementary School (Grades K-6). Local students in Grades 7-12 attend school in Sylvan Grove.
, an east-west route, approaches Lucas from the west, then turns southeast along the eastern side of the city. K-232
, a north-south route, terminates at its junction with K-18 southeast of the city.
Lucas Airport is located immediately east of the city. Publicly owned, it has one asphalt runway and is used for general aviation
.
, the city holds its annual community celebration, the Adams Apple Festival. It includes an art show, a fun run
, games, contests, and other entertainment. Other annual events include the Spook Parade, a children's costume contest held the day before Halloween
, and Santa Claus Day, held the Saturday before Christmas
.
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 site consists of Dinsmoor's home, a "log cabin" constructed of carved limestone, more than 150 sculptures representing his interpretation of the Biblical creation and world history, and a mausoleum housing the remains of Dinsmoor and his first wife. Inspired by Dinsmoor, local resident Florence Deeble constructed a rock garden
around her home, using rocks acquired during her travels to construct works representing places she visited. Since 2002, Deeble's house has served as a gallery called the Garden of Isis, exhibiting works made from recycled materials by visual artist Mri-Pilar. 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 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, and the World's Largest Travel Plate.
Schools
Attractions
Photos and Videos
Maps
Russell County, Kansas
Russell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. The county's population was 6,970 for the 2010 census...
, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 393.
Geography
Lucas is located at 39°3′32"N 98°32′15"W (39.058839, -98.537457) at an elevation of 1,489 feet (454 m). According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²), all of it land. It lies in the Smoky Hills
Smoky Hills
The Smoky Hills are an upland region of hills in the central Great Plains of North America. They are located in the central United States, encompassing north-central Kansas and a small portion of south-central Nebraska. The hills are a dissected plain covered by tallgrass and mixed-grass prairie...
region of the Great Plains
Great Plains
The Great Plains are a broad expanse of flat land, much of it covered in prairie, steppe and grassland, which lies west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States and Canada. This area covers parts of the U.S...
approximately 8 miles (12.9 km) north of Wilson Lake
Wilson Lake (Kansas)
Wilson Lake or Wilson Reservoir is a lake in the U.S. state of Kansas, on the border of Russell County and Lincoln County. It is a reservoir formed by the 130 ft high Wilson Dam on Saline River. The dam was built in 1964 for flood control...
. Wolf Creek, a tributary of the Saline River
Saline River (Kansas)
The Saline River is a tributary of the Smoky Hill River in the central Great Plains of North America. The entire length of the river lies in the U.S. state of Kansas. The river takes its name from the French translation of its Native name Ne Miskua, referring to its salty content.-Geography:The...
, flows east along the southern edge of the city. Located in north-central Kansas at the junction of Kansas Highway 18 (K-18)
K-18 (Kansas highway)
K-18 is a primarily east–west state highway running between US-24 and I-70 in north central Kansas.-Route description:K-18 begins near the town of Bogue in Graham County as it branches off to the south from US-24...
and Kansas Highway 232 (K-232)
K-232 (Kansas highway)
K-232 is a north–south state highway in central Kansas connecting the towns of Wilson and Lucas. The highway is designated by the Kansas Department of Transportation as the Post Rock Scenic Byway. The byway derives its name from the abundant limestone in the area which early settlers used as...
, Lucas is 115 miles (185.1 km) northwest of Wichita
Wichita, Kansas
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
, 212 miles (341.2 km) west of Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, and 21 miles (33.8 km) northeast of Russell
Russell, Kansas
Russell is the most populous city in and county seat of Russell County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 4,506.-History:...
, the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
.
Demographics
As of the 2010 census, there were 393 people, 192 households, and 108 families residing in the city. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 786 people per square mile (303.5/km²). There were 257 housing units at an average density of 514 per square mile (183.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.7% White, 0.8% Asian, 0.3% American Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
, 0.8% from some other race, and 0.5% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1.5% of the population.
There were 192 households out of which 22.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 2.1% had a male householder with no wife present, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.8% were non-families. 42.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.05, and the average family size was 2.79.
In the city, the population was spread out with 21.1% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 17.3% from 25 to 44, 29.8% from 45 to 64, and 26.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males age 18 and over.
As of 2009, the median income for a household in the city was $30,962, and the median income for a family was $51,875. Males had a median income of $30,000 versus $24,861 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $18,666. About 5.7% of families and 12.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.8% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Lucas is a city of the third class with a mayor-councilMayor-council government
The mayor–council government system, sometimes called the mayor–commission government system, is one of the two most common forms of local government for municipalities...
form of government. The city council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
consists of five members, and it meets on the second Tuesday of each month.
Education
Lucas lies within Unified School District (USD)Unified school district
A unified school district or unit school district is a school district which includes both primary school and high school under the same district control....
299, based in Sylvan Grove, Kansas
Sylvan Grove, Kansas
Sylvan Grove is a city in Lincoln County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 279.-Geography:Sylvan Grove is located at...
. The district operates one school in the city: Lucas-Sylvan Unified Elementary School (Grades K-6). Local students in Grades 7-12 attend school in Sylvan Grove.
Infrastructure
Transportation
K-18K-18 (Kansas highway)
K-18 is a primarily east–west state highway running between US-24 and I-70 in north central Kansas.-Route description:K-18 begins near the town of Bogue in Graham County as it branches off to the south from US-24...
, an east-west route, approaches Lucas from the west, then turns southeast along the eastern side of the city. K-232
K-232 (Kansas highway)
K-232 is a north–south state highway in central Kansas connecting the towns of Wilson and Lucas. The highway is designated by the Kansas Department of Transportation as the Post Rock Scenic Byway. The byway derives its name from the abundant limestone in the area which early settlers used as...
, a north-south route, terminates at its junction with K-18 southeast of the city.
Lucas Airport is located immediately east of the city. Publicly owned, it has one asphalt runway and is used for general aviation
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
.
Events
Each year on the Saturday before Labor DayLabor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
, the city holds its annual community celebration, the Adams Apple Festival. It includes an art show, a fun run
Fun run
A fun run is a friendly race that involves either road running or cross country running with participants taking part for their own enjoyment rather than competition. A fun run will usually be held to raise funds for a charity, with sponsors providing the revenue to cover organisational costs...
, games, contests, and other entertainment. Other annual events include the Spook Parade, a children's costume contest held the day before Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
, and Santa Claus Day, held the Saturday before Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
.
Points of interest
In 1996, Governor Bill GravesBill Graves
William Preston "Bill" Graves , was the 43rd Governor of Kansas from 1995 until 2003.Graves was born in Salina, Kansas in 1953 to parents who owned a trucking firm...
named Lucas the "Grassroots Art Capital of Kansas" due to the number of sites in the community devoted to local folk art
Folk art
Folk art encompasses art produced from an indigenous culture or by peasants or other laboring tradespeople. In contrast to fine art, folk art is primarily utilitarian and decorative rather than purely aesthetic....
. The Garden of Eden is a permanent outdoor sculpture exhibit built between 1905 and 1927 by local sculptor Samuel P. Dinsmoor
Samuel P. Dinsmoor
Samuel Perry Dinsmoor was an United States teacher and eccentric sculptor from Lucas, Kansas. Dinsmoor served in the Civil War and then taught school in Kansas. When he retired in 1905 he began a second career as a sculptor.-Garden of Eden:...
. The site consists of Dinsmoor's home, a "log cabin" constructed of carved limestone, more than 150 sculptures representing his interpretation of the Biblical creation and world history, and a mausoleum housing the remains of Dinsmoor and his first wife. Inspired by Dinsmoor, local resident Florence Deeble constructed a rock garden
Rock Garden
The Rock Garden or Rock Garden of Chandigarh is a Sculpture garden in Chandigarh, India, also known as Nek Chand's Rock Garden after its founder Nek Chand, a government official who started the garden secretly in his spare time in 1957. Today it is spread over an area of forty-acres , it is...
around her home, using rocks acquired during her travels to construct works representing places she visited. Since 2002, Deeble's house has served as a gallery called the Garden of Isis, exhibiting works made from recycled materials by visual artist Mri-Pilar. 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 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, and the World's Largest Travel Plate.
Notable people
Notable individuals who were born in and/or have lived in Lucas include:- Samuel P. DinsmoorSamuel P. DinsmoorSamuel Perry Dinsmoor was an United States teacher and eccentric sculptor from Lucas, Kansas. Dinsmoor served in the Civil War and then taught school in Kansas. When he retired in 1905 he began a second career as a sculptor.-Garden of Eden:...
, sculptor - Bill VolokBill VolokWilliam J. Volok was a professional American football player who played tackle for six seasons for the Chicago Cardinals.Volok died in Drumright, Oklahoma, at the age of 81....
, footballAmerican footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
tackle
See also
- Meades Ranch, KansasMeades Ranch, KansasMeades Ranch is a location in Kansas, United States that was designated as the geodetic base point for the North American Datum of 1927 .-Location:...
, the geodetic base point for the North American Datum of 1927 (NAD 27), which was used as a reference point until 1983. - National Register of Historic Places listings in Russell County, KansasNational Register of Historic Places listings in Russell County, KansasThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Russell County, Kansas.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties on the National Register of Historic Places in Russell County, Kansas, United States...
External links
CitySchools
- USD 299, local school district
Attractions
- Garden of Eden
- Grassroots Arts Center
- Florence Deeble's Rock Garden
- Traveling Roadside Attraction and Museum
Photos and Videos
- KWCH 'One of a Kind' Kansas road trip in 2011: Photos, Video 1, Video 2, Video 3. Towns included were ColdwaterColdwater, KansasColdwater is a city in and the county seat of Comanche County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 828.-Geography:Coldwater is located at...
, SterlingSterling, KansasSterling is a city in Rice County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 2,328. Sterling is home to Sterling College.- History :...
, AtwoodAtwood, KansasAtwood is a city in and the county seat of Rawlins County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,194.-History:...
, Lucas, MarionMarion, KansasMarion is a city in and the county seat of Marion County, Kansas, United States. It was named in honor of Francis Marion, a Brigadier General of the American Revolutionary War, known as the "Swamp Fox". As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,927....
.
Maps
- Lucas City Map, KDOT
- Russell County Map, KDOT