West Mineral, Kansas: Big Brutus

Big Brutus weighs over 11 million pounds. This was so much larger than I thought it would be. Very impressive!

What a great attraction. Put it on your bucket list, because it really is an engineering marvel. You just can't imagine the size of this machine until you are next to it. Climbing around in it was an adventure in itself - - a bit taxing for the overweight, but very do-able. Lots of wasps, but they seemed used to people, as long as you didn't swat them. Outside the machine, the grounds are filled with old and odd machines -- so you need at least an hour or more to visit. Benches and a pergola complete the scene for just gazing at the behemoth.

Currently, admission is $8.00 for an adult up to age 65. Glad we went -- will never forget it.

Visited Big Brutus and was not disappointed. This thing is huge -- you can see it from miles away. It was interesting seeing the video of when it was built. The walk up the shovel arms is still closed due to the insurance company, according to the signs. You can still climb through the rest of the machine. Quite the engineering marvel and worth the trip through beautiful rural Kansas.

On a recent expedition to southeast Kansas I found Big Brutus in rare form, as always, I'm told. Well worth the stop and the hour and a half spent climbing all over it. You have to look closely to see the signs... The disappointment came later however, when it was learned the House of Telephones is no more. Evidently the collection was willed to someone without the appreciation for communications technology and they discarded it. I was told I could walk through the house that once held it. I declined though, someone else was living in it at the time. Just wanted to let you know.