Journey To The Center Of Kansas

Journey to the Center of Kansas No Dorothy References Please

The city of Hutchinson, Kansas (referred as “Hutch” with the in crowd) is home to many of the Sunflower State’s treasures. The Kansas State Fair is held there, they have a municipal airport, and better yet a Sonic Drive-In. But it is 650 feet below where the true offbeat prize is stored. No, not Jimmy Hoffa, but The Underground Salt Museum. A museum underground, jackpot! The Underground Salt Museum takes the visitor through the wonderful world of a salt mine (still active a few miles away), touching on the history of mining, the folklore, and I guess some geology stuff.

Scene From You Only Live Twice?

Only 28 people can take the tour at a time, due to either a shortage of hard hats, insurance, or oxygen availability. You take a 90 second elevator ride 650 feet below in total darkness. Pretty creepy when you're surrounded by kids with no parental supervision. The Doors open and your destination reached. (which has an uncanny resemblance to a James Bond villain’s layer)

From there you take a tour of the tunneled out catacombs, along the way you see such "Mine Marvels" like a “Macgyver-isc” vehicle (apparently what ever equipment the miners brought down could not be brought back up for repairs, thus they had to be inventive), the guide shows you various mine shafts explaining the engineering techniques, problems, and life underground. If that wasn't enough to tickle your fancy, you even get some rock salt (Bangarang!).

Once the tram tour concludes you get to walk around and gawk at old machinery, cardboard cut outs, and better yet, well lit blocks of salt.

A Well Lit Block of Salt

The best part about this tour is that it’s not just about “science” (which can be cold and not call you the next day after a night out).

Because of the conditions inside the mine (the constant temperature and dryness) it is ideal for archival storage of film, television masters, props, and other semi-important documents.

The Underground Vaults & Storage currently house masters of The Wizard of Oz, Gone With the Wind, and Star Wars. Unfortunately you can’t go into the storage area, but they have some other classic props on display: The weather device from Twister, Dorothy IV, or even this Cinema gem:

Mr. Freeze - Batman & Robin

Offbeat Frontier plans to visit this great attraction many times in the future, as it is one of five things to do when you are visiting your folks for the holidays. The other four involve playing the Wii.

More Pictures:

Film Storage, you bet!

Data Storage Evolution Exhibit or

Set Piece from War Games donated by Matthew Broderick

They told me there was a Salt Minotaur and that

I should not go exploring alone. I did as I was told.

Keeping it Classy Underground