Just east of Lakin, Kansas, sits a sign inviting travelers of Highway 50 to stop and view a unique historical marker — ruts from wagons on the Santa Fe Trail from the 1800s. Local artist and co-op Accountant McKayla Hendrix was asked to honor the marker by creating a metalwork sculpture representing the journey.
“The Lakin PRIDE committee approached us about creating the sculpture,” said Hendrix. “We worked to create a life-size replica of an ox-drawn Conestoga wagon and cowboy.”
Working along side her father, Brad Hendrix, they designed and crafted the large metal art installation.
“I spent a lot of hours finding different designs and then modifying them to get the final project,” Hendrix said.
Once a design was settled upon, the father-daughter duo began creating the piece using a plasma cutter. Once finished, the wagon consisted of three metal sheets, welded together before installation. Each animal was one piece of metal.
Hendrix says the final piece took two days to install and was a group effort. Installation was completed on May 5.
Hendrix is a Lakin local who enjoys bow hunting, fishing and being outdoors in addition to creating metalworks.