Josh wanted to go to the Salt Mines, called the Strataca, in Hutch. The kids had never been. We made reservations which was a good thing, because being spring break, there were quite a few people there. We rode a double-decker hoist down. It was pitch black for a while. This shaft was bored years ago through the frozen aquifer and countless layers of rock and silt. We went down 650 feet.
The area we were able to see used to be part of the Carey Salt Mines. It was mined in the '40s and '50s. We didn't go to the area where they are currently mining salt. They have been mining around the clock because this has been a hard winter across the nation. This mine provides salt for the roads.
Because of the perfect temperature and no humidity, it is the perfect environment for preservation, so many Hollywood films, costumes from the movies, a newspaper with the announcement of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln as well as many other newspapers, medical records of hospitals, bank records, etc. are stored here.
We took a little train ride around the mines. Machinery were brought down years ago, piece by piece and put back together and "what comes down stays down" we were told. So old salt mining equipment is there to look at. Even trash from the '40's and '50s, like candy wrappers and cigarette packages. We got a lesson on how mining evolved over the years.
We also took a tram ride.
They let us pick a piece of salt to take out with us.
Hutchinson, Kansas has many fun places to visit and this is one of them!
A little souvenir.
