If you are a native to Kansas (or ever took an elementary school field trip), you are probably familiar with Hutchinson’s Strataca: Kansas Underground Salt Museum. While you know the general concept of the mine and museum, did you know that you can actually take a tour of the historic, yet still-working mine? Did you also know that:
Before becoming the Hutchinson Salt Company, the mines were known as the Carey Salt Company and were originally opened in 1923.
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Strataca (and the Hutchinson Salt Company) houses one the largest deposits of rock salt in the world, covering a whopping 980 acres.
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There are a total of 15 working salt mines in America, but Strataca is the only one that allows outside visitors and tourists.
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Any guesses as to when these salt deposits were formed? A few thousand years ago? A million? Try 275 million years ago!
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Now that you understand more about the significance of Strataca and the Hutchinson Salt Company, let’s talk more about the fact that you can actually descend 650 feet underground to explore this dark and mysterious world.
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When you tour Strataca, there are several areas to see and different ways to see them! A few of the more popular attractions include the Salt Mine Express…
Yelp The train takes visitors on a 15-minute train ride through a part of the mine that hasn’t been in use since the 1950s.
…the Dark Ride…
Yelp The Dark Ride is a 30-minute tram ride through one of the main shafts of the mine.
…iconic Underground Vaults & Storage Gallery…
Wikimedia Commons While the real Underground Vaults & Storage Gallery is off limits to the public, they have created a replica that displays film memorabilia, costumes, and more.
…and even a Mining Gallery.
Yelp Any guesses as to what you’ll find in the Mining Gallery? If you said artifacts from present-day and old-school mining practices, you would be correct!
Things to keep in mind when you visit Strataca are that children under the age of 4 are not allowed underground and that tour hours vary by day. For a full list of prices, times, and other important information, be sure to refer to Strataca’s website.
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The train takes visitors on a 15-minute train ride through a part of the mine that hasn’t been in use since the 1950s.
The Dark Ride is a 30-minute tram ride through one of the main shafts of the mine.
While the real Underground Vaults & Storage Gallery is off limits to the public, they have created a replica that displays film memorabilia, costumes, and more.
Any guesses as to what you’ll find in the Mining Gallery? If you said artifacts from present-day and old-school mining practices, you would be correct!
For even more information about the museum, check out these 11 Fascinating Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Strataca In Kansas.
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