Dedicated To The Mining Heritage

of Southeast Kansas



Located at West Mineral, Kansas

Big Brutus put the oooohs and aaahs in the backyard of the Heartlands!!! Miles before you reach this retired giant — you can see it on the horizon south of West Mineral, Kansas. Standing beside it makes one aware of how fragile he or she is.

The statistics give the hard cold picture —

Bucyrus Erie model 1850B

largest electric shovel in the world

16 stories tall (160 feet)

weight 11 million pounds

boom 150 feet long

dipper capacity 90 cu. yds (by heaping, 150 tons

— enough to fill three railroad cars.)

— enough to fill three railroad cars.) maximum speed .22 MPH

cost $6.5 million (in 1962)

There is more to Big Brutus than cold steel and long shadows falling across the Mined Land Wildlife Area. Big Brutus is not just a symbol of the past, but an eternal tribute to the mining heritage of Southeast Kansas and to miners all across this nation who toiled to support their families.

On July 13, 1985, Big Brutus was dedicated as "a Museum and Memorial Dedicated to the Rich Coal Mining History in Southeast Kansas."

In September 1987 The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) designated Big Brutus a Regional Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark, the 10th since 1971 to be so designated.

In 2018 Big Brutus was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Big Brutus is a museum open year round. Hours vary with the season. Call (620)827-6177 for more information.

The Markley Shovel has been donated to Big Brutus. This homemade machine was said to be one of the first mining shovels equipped with a round dipper stick, which allowed the bucket to swivel. This was used as a prototype for Big Brutus.