© Edward Schuck 1993

Greensburg, Kansas. The marketing department of “Big Well” has done their job (do I dare say they’ve done it “well?”) Signs indicating and promoting “The World’s Largest Hand Dug Well” line US Route 54 in Kansas. Of course, there is not much to compete with along that stretch of highway.

In 1993, my dad, Ed, and I were roadtripping to California from Minnesota and kept seeing these signs. Finally, we had to stop. Why not? It’s the World’s Largest Hand Dug Well!! (Actually, there are wells in Egypt and Italy that really vie for that title.)  Dug in the 1880’s, “Big Well” is 109 feet deep, and in 2008, was named one of the “Eight Wonders of Kansas” (www.bigwell.org). And, also at the SAME site, you can see a meteorite on display.

© Edward Schuck 1993

Spotting the signs..

© Edward Schuck

Keep going…

© Stephanie Glaser

In case you didn’t see the sign at ground level…you’re almost there.

© Stephanie Glaser 1993

Here it is (the gate surrounds the actual well). I wish I had a photo showing the inside of the well, because it is very impressive. The information/visitor center is right there also. Sadly, the visitor center was destroyed in a tornado in 2007. The good news is that “Big Well” has re-opened with a visitor center and museum. The meteorite is safe, too!