January 2012
How many times have you heard the expression “working in the salt mines”? In reality, probably not that many, but you have likely heard it one time or another. This story is not about working in the salt mines, exactly, but it could have been, because this is about a visit to the salt mines. In fact, this particular mine is still providing salt, and workers have been removing salt from its mine shafts for over 120 years.
So why am I talking about salt in an aviation magazine? That’s simple. One of the great benefits we flyers have is the ability to fly ourselves to places all over this great country and see things that many people have never heard of… like the great salt mines located in Hutchinson, Kan.
Getting There
Hutchinson is a small community located in the central part of Kansas, northwest of Wichita. It has a great airport, Hutchinson Municipal (KHUT), with runways running in all directions. (See Resources at the end of this article for more information. —Ed.) It is not uncommon to see a heavy airliner doing touch-and-go training from time to time. In addition, the Airport Steak House located in the terminal will satisfy any appetite.
My good friends Mike and Mary Hildebrand live in Hutchinson, and they had been suggesting for years that we fly into Hutchinson and see the salt mines. To make it even more enjoyable, I invited our other Cherokee flying friends, Alan and Charity Waggoner, to join my wife LaNeal and I for our visit to the salt mines.
Wells Aircraft was gracious enough to loan us a crew car to drive to the mine which is just a mile or two from the airport. When we arrived at the Kansas Underground Salt Museum, we knew it was going to be an experience just from the sign above the entry. Not knowing what to expect is an adventure in itself—and we were about to be “underground bound!”
An Impressive Working Mine
The salt mine in Hutchinson was discovered in 1887 and covers over 920 acres. In fact, if the mine shafts were stretched out, they would extend 67 miles. The mine itself is 650 feet below ground. Since this is a working mine, an excavated area that is no longer being mined was turned into the museum— the only museum of its kind in the Western Hemisphere.
Now you might wonder just what there is to see in a salt mine. From a historical perspective, it is fascinating to be underground in an area where salt was formed over 280 million years ago. But more than that, the prospect of a descent into a subterranean world of mystery is a powerful lure. From 1923 through 1965, the Carey Salt Co. (many of you probably don’t even remember Carey table salt!) offered special groups and dignitaries the opportunity to see this marvel of nature. Today, the museum offers tours to the general public.
Prior to descending to the underground we visited the displays in the lobby which explained what we would see and how the tour would be conducted (the tour includes walking and traveling on an underground train). We were provided safety helmets, and the elevator ride down was exciting; not scary, just exciting.
Underground Arrival
When we departed the elevator, I noticed it was a comfortable temperature. It turns out the mine’s average temperature is 68 degrees, even in the winter. As we rode along in the underground train, our tour guide explained how the salt was drilled and dynamited to break away a salt chunk. These chunks could weigh several tons.
We had an opportunity experience total darkness on this tour, too. At one point, all the lights in the mine were turned off—and if you think you know dark, you don’t know what dark is until you are 650 feet below the earth’s crust in total darkness.
Museum Highlights
A special, fenced area of the mine contains thousands of reels of movies stored for posterity. Among the reels that are stored here are the original “The Wizard of Oz,” “Gone with the Wind,” and the original “Superman.” In addition to the movie reels, many of the costumes worn by the actors and actresses are stored here, too. Millions of rare documents are in storage as well.
As we walked through the mined area, it was just plain neat to look the monstrous salt block sitting there for our enjoyment. When I looked at the machinery that the workers used to carve out the shafts, I wondered why, after all these years in a salt atmosphere, it wasn’t falling apart.
The Perfect Climate
I have always thought of salt as not only something we put on food to add flavor, but also what is put down during winter to melt ice. And everyone knows that salt is also the cause of corrosion that eats into our aircraft skins if they are not cleaned and treated properly. So why store all these precious documents and movie reels in a salt atmosphere?
Much to my surprise, the salt mine is a perfect climate for storage. It is totally moisture-free, and a climate not conducive to changes in temperature or humidity makes it an ideal long-term storage facility.
A Special Stop
After our tour of the museum, LaNeal and I headed to the airport for our flight back to Oklahoma City. As it was already late in the afternoon, it seemed only reasonable that we stop in Ponca City, Okla. for dinner at Enrique’s Mexican Restaurant (“the hottest jalapeno on the runway!”) at Ponca City Regional (KPNC). But that’s another story.
In the meantime, Kansas Underground Salt Museum should be put on your list of places to fly and see. It’s a great piece of history. The museum is open six days a week, and the small admission fee is worth every penny.
Until next time, fly safe.
Dick Russ is a multi-hour commercial, ME and instrument-rated pilot. He’s also a Flight Test Engineer and an A&P/IA who has restored many Pipers. In addition to his career as a freelance writer and aviation business owner, he was Senior Engineer on the Shuttle Enterprise Approach and Landing Test Program at Edwards AFB. Russ holds three patents on aviation components. Send questions or comments to editor@www.piperflyer.com.
RESOURCES
Kansas Underground Salt Museum
3504 East Avenue G at Airport Rd
Hutchinson, KS 67501
Phone (620) 662-1425
Toll-Free (866) 755-3450
www.undergroundmuseum.org
Hutchinson Municipal Airport (KHUT)
Fuel Available: 100LL, Jet-A
Runway 13/31: 7,004 x 100 feet
Runway 4/22: 6,000 x 100 feet
Runway 17/35: 4,252 x 75 feet
FBO: Wells Aircraft (620) 663-1546
Airport Steak House
1100 Airport Rd
Hutchinson, KS 67501
(620) 662-4281
