Lyons celebrates its salt mining history by unveiling the ‘world’s largest salt shaker’
Ever since a developer drilling for oil and natural gas accidentally struck a salt bed in 1887, Lyons has built a legacy around this underground resource. Today, the city is still home to two operating salt mines. To honor its salt mining heritage, Lyons recently unveiled a new and exciting attraction—the “World’s Largest Salt Shaker.”
The 15-foot-tall salt shaker, made of metal and glass panels, stands 64 times larger than an old-fashioned diner salt shaker, which it was designed to resemble.
“We thought it was a great idea to pay homage to the salt miners and the many years they have been mining salt, not just in Lyons but in Rice County,” says city administrator Troy Houtman. “It pays tribute to those who toiled in the mines in the early days, as well as the two salt companies that operate near the community today.”
The salt shaker is displayed in front of a vibrant mural painted by artist and designer Chris Garcia, aka “lastdeviant.” Boasting the words Lyons, Kansas, Worth our weight in SALT, a strong and hardworking miner stands within the letter ‘A.’
Garcia used a dark blue aptly named “Salty Dog” to paint the mural’s background, he says on the Rice County Community Foundation website. He also added more than 8,000 dots to illustrate the salt dunes.
Both the salt shaker and mural can be found in Salt Miners Park, a new park that has replaced a vacant lot on the courthouse square, Houtman says. Blending art, history and community, the park serves as a space for gatherings and educational opportunities, as well as being a draw for tourists.
This recent installation coincides with Lyons’ Salt and Art Project, a public art initiative that celebrates the city’s salt history. The project involved 10 salt carts donated by mining companies Lyons Salt and Compass Minerals. Retired from the mines, these carts have been placed throughout the community and painted by local artists in a variety of styles tied thematically to the business where they are parked.
“They are actual salt carts from many, many years ago,” Houtman says. “They are about the size of an office desk, maybe a little bit smaller … 4 feet long, 2 to 3 feet tall, and 3 feet wide.”
Visit the city website for a map identifying the locations of the salt carts scattered around Lyons.
