Where Grass Roots Are Flushed in the Garden of Eden

August 8-10, 2018

Minnooka Campground
Wilson Lake, Kansas

We have spent the last couple of days enjoying this nice park.  We have a large grass lawn between us and the shore of Wilson Lake.

From the edge of our site the ground drops down sharply to the water.

The nearby small town of Wilson is known for the "World's Largest hand-painted Czech Egg".


















There wasn't much else going on in Wilson.  It must be hard to top the egg.






Lucas, another small town north of here, is the Grassroots Art Capital of Kansas.  First on our list was the Garden of Eden.  It is difficult to describe this rather bizarre tourist attraction.  It's fortunate that the owners didn't live in an area where he had to deal with a home owners association.






After retiring from farming Samuel P. Dinsmoor and his wife moved into town where he built this house and continuously worked on his concrete "yard art".  There are many concrete "trees" with various art pieces among the branches. The Bible and politics are among the diverse themes.







For modesty's sake Adam and Eve are photographed from the rear.

Dinsmoor built this planting bed in the shape of a pyramid so we wouldn't have to bend over to pick his strawberries.




After his first wife died, Sam hired a teenage housekeeper.  When he was 81 he married his housekeeper who had just turned 20.  It was rumored that he "had to marry her".  They had two children together.

Sam also built a mausoleum on his property. He didn't want to be embalmed so he left specific instructions in his will directing that his remains be mummified and displayed in a concrete coffin with a glass window.  He now rests in the mausoleum behind a glass window where visitors are encouraged to visit.  He didn't look too bad with the exception of his faced that turned a little green due to a broken window many years ago.





The town of Lucas (both blocks) is home to the Grassroots Art Center with its collection of eclectic pieces.


Eagle made from barbed wire

Car made from aluminum pull tabs

















Art is spread through the town with many pieces found on street corners, poles and yards.

The most impressive building in town was the public restroom.  It is shaped like a toilet with the lid up.

In addition to the "seating area" is a colorful whirlpool representing the flushing water.

Even the toilet paper was not forgotten.




















The inside was more ornate that the outside.

Men's restroom

Women's restroom