Friday Funny: The Best Bathroom in Kansas

With your indulgence, we'd like to inaugurate "Flush Fridays" by bringing you the latest entry in John Metcalfe's "Toilet Tuesdays" series. This week's deposit focused on Lucas, Kansas, the town in America "most proud of its public restrooms."

1 minute read

July 13, 2012, 2:00 PM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


With a widely known reputation for a quirky arts scene that belies its small population, it should surprise few to learn that the town of Lucas (pop. 400), "home to the World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest
Versions of the Worlds Largest Things," threw a celebration for the opening of a new public restroom that drew visitors from as far as Washington, D.C.

And this is no ordinary restroom, of course. According to Metcalfe, "the public commode, plopped at a new landmark called Bowl Plaza, is the
"culmination of a four-year dream to build a downtown restroom in
Lucas," reports the Salina Journal. Just
a short time ago, the international travelers flocking to Lucas had no
adequate place to pee; today, they have a building that is shaped like a
toilet tank with a doorway resembling a toilet lid."

And you can't just throw any old party for such a momentous occasion. Apparently, the "all-day fiesta" featured "a costume parade, talent show, toilet-seat
toss, a lecture about bowel movements and a replica of Michelangelo's 'David' made from 200-plus rolls of toilet paper," writes Metcalfe.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012 in The Atlantic Cities

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business