I had passed the marker for this National Historic Site several times and had never turned off. The water tower was built when trains had to stop to fill up along their route. It is still in very good condition. The hotel is located across from the water tower and is from the same era (1880's). It was re-done when a ranch owner wanted to fly in to check on his cattle and needed someplace to stay. There is a very short grass strip by the hotel. I looked like it would require a very short field landing. Both are located in Beaumont, Kansas and I passed by on June 10th on the way to Avon.

Underground Salt Mine Museum

On the way to Avon I stopped at the Underground Salt Mine Museum in Hutchinson, KS. They have been mining salt underground since 1923 and in 2007 the Underground Mine Museum was opened to the public. This is the only Underground Salt Museum in the United State. Before you start on the tour you have to check out a hard hat and a emergency breathing pack. The tour starts with the lift taking you down 650 feet. During the ride down you are totally in the dark. The salt mining leaves large rooms and multiple passages through the salt. There are three different groups working below the surface. It is still an active salt mine. The museum uses some of the space and there is an underground storage company that also uses the mine. The museum part of the tour is self guided. I have pictures of machinery that was used in the mine. There is also a picture of an old truck left on the side after if was no long needed. Part of the self-guided tour is through the storage area. Some of the more familiar storage items are on display.

You can also sign up for the Dark Tour where you ride a tram through other parts of the mine. There is a large block of salt on display in the museum.