The Garden of Eden in Lucas, Kansas
Nestled in the heart of central Kansas, a mere 15 miles north of Interstate 70, lies the unassuming town of Lucas. Despite its modest population, hovering around 500 residents, Lucas holds a unique distinction. In 1996, the Governor of Kansas officially designated it the "Grassroots Art Capital of Kansas," a testament to the vibrant and unconventional artistic spirit that permeates this small community. While Lucas boasts several intriguing grassroots art sites, the most renowned and captivating of them all is undoubtedly the Garden of Eden.
The Garden of Eden is the brainchild of Samuel Perry Dinsmoor, a man of diverse experiences and strong convictions. Dinsmoor was a retired schoolteacher, a Civil War veteran, and a Populist politician. In 1891, he relocated to Lucas and established a farm just outside the town limits with his wife. He lived there until 1905, when he decided to create the Garden of Eden.
At the age of 62, Dinsmoor embarked on an ambitious project, purchasing property within the town itself to construct his own personal "creation." His first endeavor was the building of a "log cabin," though the term is somewhat misleading. Rather than using traditional logs, Dinsmoor ingeniously carved the 27-foot timbers from locally sourced limestone, showcasing his resourcefulness and unique artistic vision. Driven by a profound distrust of banks, he also crafted much of his own furniture, including a sturdy desk that served as his personal vault for storing his hard-earned money.
Before long, the unusual dwelling began attracting attention. Passersby would stop to gaze at the remarkable house, which Dinsmoor himself proudly proclaimed as "the most unique home for living or dead on Earth." Completed in 1907, the eccentric artist opened his doors to the public the following year, offering guided tours of his increasingly bizarre and fascinating creation.
For the next 22 years, Dinsmoor tirelessly devoted himself to expanding his Garden of Eden, adding an astounding 150 different sculptures. These sculptures represented his personal interpretation of the world’s creation, its history, and his own strongly held political views. Over the years, he utilized a staggering 113 tons of concrete, transforming the landscape into a surreal and thought-provoking environment. His creations included mammoth insects, angels with imposing wingspans, towering 40-foot trees, playful children, numerous sculptures with direct political messages, and even a concrete American flag, frozen in a perpetual wave.
Life-size statues of Adam and Eve stood as greeters to his home, with Eve offering visitors an apple. However, the original sculptures, depicting the biblical figures in their "natural state," caused quite a stir among the townspeople. Bowing to pressure from community leaders, Dinsmoor was eventually compelled to cover their "privates" with hastily constructed concrete loincloths.
Adding to the fantastical atmosphere, Dinsmoor suspended an "all-seeing-eye-of-God" from a branch on his "tree of life." This wasn’t just a static representation; the "eye" was connected to a hose that ran from the house’s basement, allowing Dinsmoor to shout at unsuspecting passersby, pretending to be the voice of God. Ever the innovator, Dinsmoor was among the first in Lucas to have electricity, and he wasted no time in wiring his sculptures so that they could be illuminated at night, further enhancing their otherworldly appearance.
Dinsmoor’s ambition extended beyond his lifetime. He constructed a 40-foot high pagoda-style mausoleum for himself and his wife, built of stone and concrete. However, when his wife passed away, the town insisted that she be buried in the local cemetery rather than the mausoleum. Although Dinsmoor initially complied, he later exhumed her coffin and placed it within a steel-reinforced crypt inside the mausoleum, ensuring that her remains would never be moved again.
Shortly after the death of his first wife, Dinsmoor, then 81 years old, married his 20-year-old housekeeper in 1924. To the surprise of many, the couple had two children. As a gesture of affection for his new bride, Dinsmoor built a sculpture of his own face just outside the kitchen window, so that she would see him "waving" at her every day.
Until just a few years before his death in 1932, Dinsmoor continued to offer tours of his home and Garden of Eden to the many curious visitors who came to see his unique creation. He even created a tour book for the property, further cementing his legacy as an eccentric artist and showman.
Upon his death at the age of 89, Dinsmoor left specific instructions to be mummified in the style of the ancient Egyptians and placed in a glass-topped coffin inside the mausoleum. To this day, he remains there, a testament to his unconventional life and artistic vision, and visitors can still view his mummified remains.
Today, the Garden of Eden is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, drawing approximately 10,000 visitors each year. The site is currently owned and operated by a dedicated preservation group, ensuring that Dinsmoor’s unique vision continues to inspire and intrigue future generations.
Within easy walking distance of the Garden of Eden, visitors to Lucas can also explore several other intriguing attractions, including the World’s Largest Collection of World’s Smallest Versions of World’s Largest Things, the Grassroots Art Center, Florence Deeble’s Rock Garden, Eric Abraham’s Flying Pig Studio & Gallery, and the Garden of Isis.
Lucas, Kansas, a town with a population of less than 500, remains a captivating destination for those seeking unique and unconventional artistic experiences. Located just 15 miles north of I-70 along the picturesque Post Rock Scenic Byway (Kansas Highway 232), it offers a glimpse into the eccentric mind of Samuel Perry Dinsmoor and the enduring appeal of grassroots art.
Contact Information:
Garden of Eden
305 E 2nd St
Lucas, Kansas 67648
785-525-6395
