Discover 30 Must-See Hidden Gems in Kansas

Named after the Kansa Native American tribe, the state of Kansas is situated in the Midwestern region of the United States of America. The territory was first encountered by Spanish explorers in 1541 and later acquired by the U.S. in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase.

Officially recognized as the “Sunflower State,” Kansas achieved statehood in 1861. The state shares its borders with Nebraska to the north, Oklahoma to the south, Missouri to the east, and Colorado to the west.

Interestingly, there exists a popular urban legend claiming that the Gate to Hell is concealed within the Stull United Methodist Church in Stull, Kansas.

Despite being predominantly flat (the state has often been likened to a pancake!), Kansas boasts a plethora of intriguing ‘firsts’ – including the inaugural Pizza Hut in Wichita, the moment Helium was first discovered in 1905 at the University of Kansas, the tallest waterslide in the world (which surpasses Niagara Falls), and the first national hamburger chain.

Kansas has a profound history that extends back to before it was referred to as Kansas. Following the presence of numerous indigenous populations, various European settlements, and intense political conflicts, the state has emerged as a significant player in the nation’s agricultural sector. Nevertheless, there is much more to the ‘Wheat State’ than appears on the surface.

Let us delve into the hidden treasures of Kansas and uncover what it has to offer.

1. Geographic Center of the Contiguous United States, Lebanon

Among the 50 states of America, 48 are recognized as contiguous states while Alaska and Hawaii, due to their geographical separation from the mainland, are excluded from this category. Approximately two miles northwest of Lebanon, Kansas lies the geographic center of the “lower 48 states.”

Identified in 1918 during the Coast and Geodetic Survey, the “center” is signified by a small stone pyramid that contains the official plaque. A small chapel and a picnic table are located nearby.

Interestingly, the “actual” center is estimated to be about a mile away on a private pig farm; however, this does not deter visitors from flocking to the designated site to capture memorable photographs at the heart of the 48 contiguous U.S. states.

If you are planning a memorable wedding, the tiny chapel offers a unique venue for such an occasion.

2. Oz Museum, Wamego

As its name implies, the Oz Museum in Wamego, Kansas, serves as a remarkable tribute to all things Oz.

Founded in 2004, the museum not only showcases highlights from the iconic 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz, but it also encapsulates the authentic spirit of Oz’s fantastical universe as a cultural phenomenon that commenced with L. Frank Baum’s children’s storybooks in the early 20th century.

Unlike the young Kansas girl, you need not await a tornado to transport you to the land of Oz. Instead, a visit to this whimsical Oz-themed museum in the heart of this quaint city will greet you with over 2,500 Oz-related artifacts and memorabilia, including items associated with both the storybooks and the movie.

Among the various exhibits is a representation of the black and white farmhouse where Dorothy, the young Kansas girl, resided prior to her arrival in the enchanting world of Oz.

3. Coronado Heights Castle, Lindsborg

Spanish explorer Francis Vasquez de Coronado is believed to be one of the earliest explorers to have ventured into what is today Kansas. During his quest for the “Seven Cities of Gold,” Coronado arrived at the small town of Lindsborg. Several decades later, in 1881, a local college professor uncovered a mysterious Spanish coin along with a rusty chainmail, further fueling beliefs in Coronado’s legendary search for wealth.

Rising to an elevation above 300 feet, Coronado Heights is one of the seven sandstone bluffs that comprise the Dakota formation. As the tale goes, Coronado was first informed about the location of the treasure by a Franciscan priest known to have visited the region in 1539. However, during his visit in 1541, the Spanish explorer found nothing but familiar native huts.

Whether the priest was deliberately misleading or not remains uncertain; nonetheless, a stone castle and adjacent park—Coronado Heights Park—were established in the area during the 1930s to commemorate the site where Coronado sought gold.

4. S. P. Dinsmoor’s Garden of Eden, Lucas

Samuel Perry Dinsmoor, a Civil War veteran who served as a nurse during the conflict, later returned to his home in Ohio after the war and joined a Masonic lodge. Following his extensive engagement as a mason, farmer, and proponent of the “free-thought” movement, Dinsmoor married Frances Barlow Journey in 1870 and relocated to Lucas with his family.

Dinsmoor envisioned his cabin as both a residence and a source of income for his family, and thus commenced the creation of the “Garden of Eden.” Primarily constructed of concrete, the house features limestone logs, surrounded by numerous 40-foot-tall concrete trees that accommodate his sculptures.

A creative synthesis of modern civilization, Populist Politics, and biblical themes, Dinsmoor’s final masterpiece was a concrete mausoleum in which his body rests within a glass coffin. Ensuring his family’s financial security long after his passing, Dinsmoor stipulated in his will that no one aside from his family could view him for less than a dollar.

5. Giant Van Gogh Painting, Goodland

Cameron Cross’ Big Easel Project is renowned across the globe. Initiated in 1996 in Canada where Cross practiced as an artist, the objective of the project is to produce larger-than-life representations of Vincent van Gogh’s sunflower artworks.

Given that Kansas is officially the “Sunflower State,” Cross could not identify a more suitable location than the outskirts of Goodland, Kansas to display one of the seven such portraits planned for the project (to date, only three have been realized).

Regarded as the largest easel worldwide, the Giant Van Gogh Painting measures 24 by 32 feet and represents Van Gogh’s “Three Sunflowers in a Vase.” The painting stands on an 80-foot-tall steel easel and weighs a total of 40,000 pounds.

Among the three completed paintings (Canada -1998, Australia -1999, Kansas -2001), the Goodland painting was inaugurated during the city’s Sunflower Festival.

6. Truckhenge, Topeka

What course of action should one take when prompted by a government official to retrieve their trucks? One complies, just as Ron Lessman did.

In the year 2000, Lessman found himself embroiled in a legal dispute with the city regarding his collection of antique trucks and buses when he was mandated by a ruling judge to “pick up the trucks.” He proceeded to anchor one end of each of the vehicles in the ground, supported by 23 tons of concrete. To add a creative twist to his defiance, he spray-painted the vintage vehicles with messages such as “Rise Up” and “Excuse Me While I Touch the Sky.”

Furthermore, several beer-bottle sculptures located near Truckhenge comprise the “Beer-Bottle City.”

Both exhibits form part of the Kaw Region Art Park and have been featured in various videos by KS Travel, Rare Visions, Roadside Revelations, and Roadside America.

7. World’s Largest Collection of Smallest Versions of Largest Things, Lucas

Erika Nelson, an artist and educator, serves as one of the foremost experts on the World’s Largest Things, and she possesses an unwavering passion for colossal creations. She dedicates her time to traveling across the nation in her van, seeking out and documenting as many “World’s Largest Things” as possible and subsequently crafting the smallest replicas of those intriguing ‘things.’

The one-of-a-kind traveling museum founded by Erika is dedicated to American attractions claiming the title of ‘World’s Largest.’ The artist is on a continual quest to locate such monumental structures, photograph them, and then create an accurate miniature replica of the attraction. Upon completion, she endeavors to capture both the miniature and the original attraction in the same frame.

Some of the miniature replicas within Erika’s traveling museum include the largest ball of rubber bands, the largest ball of gum, Big Albert (the world’s largest bull), the largest badger, and the largest donut.

If she is not on her next expedition, Erika and her mobile museum can typically be found stationed near her residence in Lucas.

8. The Wichita Troll, Wichita

Locally referred to as “The Wichita Troll,” this seven-foot eerie creature, featuring an oversized head and a black cobbled dress, has loomed over the streets of Wichita since 2007.

Connie Ernatt, a local artist, is credited with significantly contributing to the city’s art scene, but the unsettling, toothy figure is regarded as her most notable work to date. Easily spotted during daylight hours (despite the lack of an official plaque identifying the attraction), the enormous, frightful figure is illuminated in green beneath a storm door at night.

Maintained as a well-guarded city secret, the 200-pound Wichita Troll sculpture was installed as part of a revitalization project aimed at enhancing Wichita’s riverside area. Although somewhat challenging to locate, the Troll can be found in proximity to 777 West Central Avenue, Wichita.

9. Mushroom Rock State Park, Brookville

Encompassing an area of roughly five acres, Mushroom Rock State Park is considered the smallest of its kind in Kansas; however, that does not detract from its status as one of the eight wonders of the state.

Displaying some of the most distinctive rock formations discovered globally, Mushroom Rock State Park contains significant geological structures from the Dakota formations dating back to the Cretaceous Period, approximately 144 to 66 million years ago. Comprised of cemented calcium carbonate, the park’s largest rock formation boasts a diameter of 27 feet.

The area is managed by Kannapolis State Park and is accessible to visitors.

10. Monument Rocks, Oakley

America possesses a peculiar admiration for Stonehenge, the globally acclaimed prehistoric monument in England; this fascination has been mirrored by numerous artists who have created replica versions of the structure. However, Monument Rocks in Oakley, Kansas, illustrates that it is not only humans in the nation who are enchanted by the ancient edifice!

Recognized as the first National Natural Monument of America and one of the eight wonders within the state, Monument Rocks comprises a collection of chalk formations that reach heights of 70 feet, believed to be remnants of the Western Interior Seaway that partitioned North America during the Cretaceous Period.

Carbonates dating back millions of years can be found throughout the area, and the chalk formations are noted for their rich fossil content and relics from prehistoric times.

On a lighter note, many of the chalk formations possess specific names inspired by their shapes and personalities, such as “Charlie the Dog” and “The Eye of the Needle.”

11. Rock City, Minneapolis

Situated in Ottawa County, Kansas, Rock City is a designated National Natural Landmark located atop a hill that overlooks the Solomon River. The park is particularly renowned for its collection of over 200 spherical boulder formations, primarily composed of concrete calcium carbonate.

These formations, commonly referred to as “cannonball concretions,” have formed due to the diffusion of calcium and carbon over millions of years. Reportedly, this collection represents the largest of its type in the world.

Designated as a landmark in 1976, Rock City Park is overseen by a non-profit organization and is open to visitors for a nominal admission fee that helps maintain the park.

12. World’s Largest Ball of Twine, Cawker City

The World’s Largest Ball of Twine in Cawker City, Kansas is precisely what its name suggests – a colossal ball of twine that has held the world record since 2014. Although several claims have been made disputing the title, the ever-expanding twine ball has consistently defended its status and remains a point of pride for the town since its creation.

Frank Stoeber initiated the ball in 1953. By the time of his passing in 1974, the ball had accumulated 1.6 million feet of twine and spanned an eleven-foot diameter. Every August, Cawker City hosts a “Twine-a-thon,” encouraging community members and visitors to contribute to the twine ball, thus ensuring its continual growth.

The last recorded measurement indicated the twine length exceeded eight million feet.

The Ball of Twine is displayed under a custom-built gazebo, and a small visitor center across the street offers souvenirs crafted from twine.

13. Strataca, Hutchinson

Previously known as the Kansas Underground Salt Museum, Strataca is a vast salt mine located 65 stories beneath Hutchinson, with salt veins that extend from Kansas to New Mexico. Despite housing numerous fascinating exhibits, the museum is home to a 250-million-year-old salt crystal that reportedly contained a living bacterium when it was discovered in 1998.

Dr. Russell Vreeland, one of the biologists involved in the discovery of the living organism, located the bacterium in a droplet of seawater that had been encased in the ancient salt crystal, situated 1,850 feet underground.

Strataca also offers a tram tour referred to as the ‘Dark Ride,’ which guides visitors through the various exhibitions at the museum. Additionally, guests can take part in the “Murder in the Mine” dinner theater, hosted by the museum on particular occasions.

14. Dorothy’s House and Land of Oz, Liberal

Dorothy Gale, a young character from Kansas who was whisked away by a tornado to a fantastical land, is a fictional figure from L. Frank Baum’s children’s storybook and the 1939 musical based on the author’s narratives. Since 1978, Dorothy has had a tangible residence located in Liberal, Kansas.

The story recounts how Max Zimmerman, an insurance agent, was at a convention where a waiter noted his name tag and expressed delight in learning that he was from the same place as Dorothy (within the story). Inspired by this connection, Max pondered the exact location in Kansas where Dorothy resided and, given that no city had claimed to be her hometown, he decided to bestow that honor upon Liberal.

This attraction, constructed from a donated house dating back to 1907, has been carefully transformed to mirror the house where Dorothy lived with her Aunt Em. A guide, often a local girl dressed as Dorothy, conducts tours, recounting the story and its unfolding events.

Visitors can stroll along the “yellow-brick road” with their “Dorothy” or choose to make a modest donation to have their name inscribed on a brick alongside previous visitors, including notable figures such as Ronald and Nancy Reagan.

15. Atomic Annie, Junction City

Atomic Annie is an M65 Atomic Cannon developed in the 1950s by engineer Robert Schwartz, designed specifically to fire nuclear warheads. Weighing 47 tons, Atomic Annie necessitates specially designed tractors for transportation.

In 1953, Atomic Annie successfully fired the first and only nuclear shell launched from a cannon during a test operation at the Nevada Test Site. Following its success, over 20 Atomic Annies were manufactured; however, within a decade, Atomic Annie was retired from active service.

In 1974, the cannon was acquired by the commander of Fort Riley’s 1st Infantry Division and positioned along Interstate 70. A nearby park provides information regarding Atomic Annie’s development, historical significance, and military role.

16. The Big Well, Greensburg

In 1887, for a fee ranging from 50 cents to a dollar daily, farmers, cowboys, and part-time laborers excavated a well with a width of 32 feet and a depth of 109 feet, now recognized as the largest “hand-dug well” globally (albeit some contend that St. Patrick’s well in Italy holds the title).

The Big Well, as it is commonly known, has recently been included among the eight wonders of Kansas; however, its maintenance has not always been straightforward. From 1939 through the early 1990s, the Big Well stood as a significant attraction. Yet, during the 1990s, it began to lose its appeal.

Adding to the troubles, a tornado ravaged the Well’s Visitor Center in 2007 along with other structures in the town. Nevertheless, the resilient citizens of Greensburg seized the opportunity to revitalize the Well, incorporating solar panels and wind turbines to aspire to be recognized as the “most eco-friendly small town” in the nation.

Further enhancing their endeavors, a museum was established atop the Big Well in 2012, allowing visitors to descend a spiral staircase into the well and explore the exhibitions within.

17. Sauer Castle, Kansas City

The Sauer Castle belonged to Anton Sauer, who relocated to Kansas City in 1868 to be closer to family while battling tuberculosis and mourning the loss of his wife after previously residing part of his life in Vienna and New York City.

Anton married Maria and resided in the castle until his death in 1879. Shortly thereafter, Maria took her own life, leaving the castle to their children. Their eldest daughter, Eva Maria, lived in the castle and intermittently married William, although the union was short-lived. Eventually, Eva Maria married a local businessman, John S. Perkins, who tragically took his own life in the castle at 73.

Eva and John’s son, John Harrison Perkins, had an infant daughter who sadly drowned in the castle’s pool.

Paul Berry acquired the property after Eva’s death in 1955 and remained there until his passing in 1986.

The accumulation of suicides and tragic deaths at the castle contributed to a plethora of ghost stories that emerged around the 1930s, resulting in incidents of vandalism and trespassing.

Currently, the Sauer Castle is owned once more by the Sauer family (his great-great-grandson); however, the premises remain private, allowing only for admiration of the architecturally haunting beauty from afar.

18. Wamego LSD Missile Silo, Wamego

Initially established in 1961 by the Air Force as part of a missile defense system, the site was acquired by Gordon Todd Skinner, a young entrepreneur with an interest in drugs, who, in collaboration with William Leonard Pickard, a California-based LSD manufacturer, converted the missile site into a production facility for LSD.

Though the manufacturing operation was brief, at one point, it was estimated that the company produced 90% of the LSD that circulated in the United States during the 1990s.

By the year 2000, Skinner became increasingly paranoid regarding the illicit activities occurring in his basement and began cooperating with the DEA as an informant. His actions ultimately led to the arrest of Pickard and sparked a significant shortage of LSD within the psychedelic communities across America.

Skinner was subsequently apprehended for kidnapping, assault, and drugging. The property is now owned by Charles and Kellie Everson, who graciously host tours of the site.

19. Clutter Family Home, Holcomb

Herb and Bonnie Clutter, along with their two teenage children, resided in a two-story brick house in Holcomb, Kansas. The family was bound and tragically shot to death in November 1959. A few years later, this shocking event inspired Truman Capote (noted for Breakfast at Tiffany’s) to publish a non-fiction work titled In Cold Blood.

Richard Hickock and Perry Smith, two ex-convicts on parole, heard from a previous inmate that the Clutters were wealthy and had hidden their money at home. Consequently, the two men plotted the murder and theft. Ultimately, Hickock and Smith were arrested and executed in 1965 for what amounted to only $50 found within the residence.

It is rumored that Nancy Clutter, the Clutters’ daughter, continues to haunt the home during the night. Since the tragic incident, only two other couples have resided in the house.

20. World’s Largest Hairball, Garden City

While it might seem unappealing at first glance, the Trichobezoar, or hairball, is the largest of its type globally and was discovered within the stomach of a cow!

Situated at the Finney County Historical Museum, located at the entrance of the Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City, Kansas, this enormous hairball rests atop a brass holder. At the time of its discovery, it measured almost 40 inches in circumference and weighed 55 pounds when wet. Since then, it has dried out and shrunk somewhat; however, it still maintains an impressive appearance and can be touched by visitors.

The museum features numerous other captivating exhibits that chronicle the area’s history and evolution.

Volunteers are readily available to answer queries and guide visitors through the museum’s exhibitions.

21. Mount Sunflower, Weskan

Situated on the private property of Ed and Cindy Harold, Mount Sunflower, rising to an elevation of 4,039 feet above sea level, is recognized as the highest natural point in Kansas. The site is marked by signage and an abstract sunflower crafted from railroad spikes.

A picnic table and a small free library can be found at the location, along with a visitor logbook. There used to be a quirky plaque stating, “On this site in 1897, nothing happened,” although it has been missing since 2015.

While it might be slightly disheartening to find that the “Highest Point in the State” appears as flat as the remainder of the landscape, Kansas cannot be faulted for its flatness, as previously mentioned, the state has often been depicted as nearly as flat as a pancake.

22. Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum, Atchison

Born in 1897, Amelia Earhart is celebrated as the first female pilot to accomplish a solo transatlantic flight. An aviation pioneer and an accomplished author, Earhart received numerous prominent awards in aviation. She was also among the ninety-nine women who founded The Ninety-Nines, an organization dedicated to female pilots.

On July 24, 1897, Earhart was born to Samuel and Amy at her maternal grandmother’s residence in Atchison, Kansas. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and is currently maintained as a museum by The Ninety-Nines.

During her second attempt to circumnavigate the globe in 1937, her aircraft mysteriously vanished near the Nukumanu Islands, Papua New Guinea. Unfortunately, she was never found, and the intrigue surrounding the life, career, and disappearance of one of history’s greatest female aviators continues to draw visitors today.

23. The Greyhound Hall of Fame, Abilene

At the Greyhound Hall of Fame, not only can visitors appreciate the greyhound sculptures and gain insights about this particular breed, but they also have the opportunity to interact and cuddle with Gary and Jade, two real and exceptionally charming greyhounds that roam near the entrance and welcome guests.

Gary and Jade, akin to many others of their breed, were racing dogs who have now transitioned into retirement and continue to reside at the museum dedicated to their rich history as racing canines.

Historically, Greyhounds served in hunting capacities; nonetheless, their reputation as racing dogs surged in the 1920s. This breed is renowned for its lightweight muscular build, outstanding flexibility, and remarkable ability to sprint up to 45 miles per hour.

Established in 1973, the museum hosts an impressive collection showcasing champion greyhounds and their handlers. Among them is Molotov, one of the most distinguished racing dogs ever, who, by the time of his passing, had fathered 7,600 pups!

24. 1950s All-Electric House, Overland Park

Constructed in 1954 by Kansas City Power & Light, this ranch-style futuristic home is equipped with an array of technological advancements that epitomized some of the greatest innovations of the time.

Inside the residence, a button reveals a television hidden behind a painting, electrical mechanisms operate the curtains, and another electrical button functions as the garage door opener. This five-room house provides visitors with an insightful glimpse into the post-WWII American dream home.

During its six-month exhibition in Prairie Village, Johnson County, the house attracted over 62,000 visitors (which exceeds the total population of Johnson County).

Having served as a family home for four decades, the All-Electric House was transformed into a museum in 1998 and continues to draw visitors (albeit not as many as such a remarkable feat of modern technology deserves).

25. World’s Largest Czech Egg, Wilson

Wilson is a small, yet culturally significant community of Czechs in Kansas, home to the largest Czech Egg in the World—a 20-foot Kraslice egg!

Designed by Christine Slechta, a renowned local creator of Kraslice ornaments, the egg has been meticulously painted by the artist along with supportive members of the community. Featuring traditional Czech designs with a black base adorned with yellow, red, and white patterns, it exemplifies the artistry of the culture.

The entire structure, including the gazebo that shelters it, was fashioned in Kansas.

The concept for this masterpiece originated in 2003, stemming from a suggestion made by Sharon Holloway, a former president of the Wilson Chamber of Commerce, to Erika Nelson (of the initiative for the World’s Smallest Replica of the World’s Largest Things). After nine years of community effort and numerous contributions, a white fiberglass egg was delivered to Wilson, and by July 29, 2016, the egg was completed along with its pavilion.

26. Kansas Barbed Wire Museum, La Crosse

Established in 1990, the Kansas Barbed Wire Museum in La Crosse is dedicated to chronicling how barbed wire, widely known as “Devil’s Rope,” brought an end to the expansive open range of the Wild West.

Historically, the western United States was characterized by vast prairies where cattle-herders allowed their livestock to roam freely across unmarked territories. However, the advent of spiny fencing enabled new landowners to implement a method for delineating their private properties effectively.

Comprising a collection of over 2,000 distinct types of barbed wire donated by private collectors globally, the museum features a variety of exhibits, including tools and machinery used in the manufacturing process of the wires.

27. Huron Indian Cemetery, Kansas City

Originally referred to as Wyandotte National Burying Ground, the Huron Indian Cemetery was established in 1843 following the forced relocation of the Wyandotte Nation. Over time, this burying ground evolved into the final resting place for an incalculable number of Native Americans, many of whom may not have marked gravesites.

After relocating from Ohio to Kansas, about a hundred Wyandotte natives unexpectedly succumbed to various ailments, although causes such as measles or typhoid are suspected. The Wyandotte Nation maintained legal rights to the cemetery until 1855. Eventually, the tribe’s status was dissolved, and the natives opted to sell the land to local developers in 1906.

Riots erupted over the sale of the land as many individuals opposed the idea of disturbing the graves of their loved ones. Despite losing the legal battle against the sale, the cemetery is now recognized as an official sacred site, with an agreement in place affirming its exclusive use for religious and cultural practices by the Wyandottes.

28. Comanche, Survivor of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Lawrence

In 1876, at the Battle of Little Bighorn, five companies of the U.S. 7th cavalry suffered devastating losses at the hands of an army composed of Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne fighters. The following day, remnants of the cavalry discovered the aftermath of the battle. All soldiers, including General George Armstrong Custer and numerous horses, lay dead on the field, except for Comanche, a horse who survived.

Owned by Captain Myles Keogh, Comanche sustained multiple bullet wounds but managed to survive (unlike other horses who would have bolted or been captured). After the battle, Comanche officially retired in 1878 and was presented with the honorary title of “second in command.”

His retirement was marked by the installation of a special stall as a gift, and he was allowed to live peacefully without engaging in any further activities. After his passing in 1890, Comanche was accorded a full military funeral service; however, instead of being buried, his remains were sent to the University of Kansas for preservation and display.

Comanche currently stands proudly on the fourth floor of the university’s Natural History Museum.

29. They Also Ran Gallery, Norton

In the 1960s, the town of Norton, Kansas, was seeking to bolster tourism when William Walter Rouse, a local businessman and president of the First State Bank, recommended the recreation of a stagecoach station in accordance with the 1859 Leavenworth and Pikes Peak Express routes.

Shortly thereafter, the Stage Coach Station 15 opened its doors to the public and was dedicated to Horace Greeley, who was not only the owner and publisher of the New York Tribune but also a presidential candidate who lost in 1872.

Soon after the Station’s unveiling, Rouse received a gift of the book “They Also Ran,” authored by Irving Stone, which chronicled the lives of all former unsuccessful presidential candidates. This inspired Rouse to collect photographs and artifacts related to these candidates, leading the Coach Station to evolve into a comprehensive museum dedicated to all presidential candidates who fell short in their quests for history.

30. Big Brutus, West Mineral

Dubbed Big Brutus, this Bucyrus-Erie 1850B electric shovel stands at a towering height of 160 feet and boasts an impressive 15,000 horsepower, thus holding the title of the world’s largest electric shovel since 1992.

The former record holder, referred to as the “Captain,” weighed 22 million pounds (in contrast to Brutus’ 11 million pounds), but was dismantled in 1992. Big Brutus also had a more powerful sibling, known as “Big Bertha,” which was likewise decommissioned. As a result, Big Brutus took on the mantle of the largest in its category.

Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Big Brutus was operational for transporting 150 tons of coal, functioning all day at a speed of 0.22 MPH. Although this made operations simpler and was an illustration of remarkable machinery, the substantial energy consumption by the giant made it impractical.

Today, Big Brutus resides at Big Brutus Inc., a mining museum that also serves as a campground located in West Mineral, Kansas. Visitors can not only admire this colossal machine but also step inside the enormous shovel.