AASG History Volume
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AASG Historian 1908–2008 James C.James Cobb, Association of Edited by Centennial History: American State Geologists Association of American State Geologists Centennial History: 1908–2008 Association of American State Geologists Centennial History: 1908–2008 Edited by James C. Cobb, AASG Historian Published by the Association of American State Geologists 2008 Front cover photo: The three geologists circa 1909 standing in the doorway of the old geological survey and museum building in downtown Tallahassee, Fla., are (left to right): the first Florida state geologist, Dr. Elias H. Sellards, who served from 1907 to 1919, and then as the Texas state geologist from 1932 to 1945; Dr. Roland Harper, Florida Geological Survey from 1908 to 1931, whose published works exceeded 500 titles; and Dr. Herman Gunter, state geologist of Florida from 1919 to 1958. The current Florida Geological Survey building is named the Gunter Building after Dr. Gunter. Photo courtesy Florida Geological Survey. Back cover photos: (from top to bottom) Photo one: Iowa State Geologist Samuel Calvin in the field in an undated photograph Dr. Calvin is fourth person from left. Photo courtesy Iowa Geological Survey. Photo two: Florida Geological Survey field camp circa 1908 with (from left to right) Elias H. Sellards, Roland Harper, and Herman Gunter. Photo courtesy Florida Geological Survey. Photo three: Kentucky State Geological Survey party at Camp Cumberland River, circa 1908. George H. Ashley is seated third from left in front row. He would become state geologist of Pennsylvania in 1919. Photo courtesy Kentucky Geological Survey. Photo four: U.S. and Kentucky State Geological Survey parties at Camp Martin circa 1908. Photo courtesy Kentucky Geological Survey. Contents Foreword ....................................................................................................................................................................................i Letter from 2008 AASG President, Chacko John.......................................................................ii Letter from USGS Director, Mark Myers ............................................................................................iii Acknowledgments .........................................................................................................................................................iv Chapter 1: Introduction ...........................................................................................................................................1 Chapter 2: Creation of the Association of American State Geologists .........9 Chapter 3: Minutes of the Founding Meeting ..........................................................................19 Chapter 4: The USGS–AASG Connection ....................................................................................27 Chapter 5: AASG Business and Accomplishments by Decade ..............................39 Chapter 6: Ian Campbell, an Exemplary State Geologist, and the Ian Campbell Medal ................................................................................183 Chapter 7: Genevieve Atwood, the First Woman State Geologist.............189 Chapter 8: Raymond C. Moore Portrait Sketches ...........................................................193 Chapter 9: The Honorary Members Caucus ...........................................................................197 Chapter 10: The Pick and Gavel Award...................................................................................201 Chapter 11: The John C. Frye Memorial Award ...............................................................205 Chapter 12: The National Geologic Mapping Act ........................................................211 Chapter 13: The AASG–AGI Connection ..................................................................................233 Chapter 14: Workings of AASG in 2007 ................................................................................237 Chapter 15: History of the AASG Foundation ....................................................................249 Appendix 1: Officers of the AASG ................................................................................................253 Appendix 2: Summaries of Annual Meetings, 1906–98 ........................................271 Appendix 3: Biographies of Founding Members of AASG ................................421 Appendix 4: Historical Directory of State Geological Surveys .....................471 Appendix 5: Selected Group Photographs ...........................................................................519 Foreword he Association of American State Geologists Centennial History: 1908–2008 provides historical context for AASG and the state geologists past and present who did so much to advance geology Tand public policy in America. In the American system of government, states are important but can lose their voice in federal programs unless they work together for a common goal. AASG has been that voice for the states for federal programs dealing with topographic and geologic mapping; water, mineral, and energy resources; geologic hazards; and other geology-related issues important to society. In the 100 years of AASG there have been countless meetings with federal agencies, policy-makers, and Congress to initiate and influence programs for the benefit of the states and the nation. This history shows just how important AASG has been in these programs. Few people living today realize the significant role AASG played in getting topographic mapping for the nation. The same is true for geologic mapping, which is still under way, and other important geology- and resources- related issues. It is also true that people may not fully appreciate the role of the state geological surveys in this era of huge federal government programs. Day in and day out, state geological survey personnel respond to the needs of the citizens of their states for geologic, mapping, water, hazards, and mineral information. This is a celebration of their efforts too. This history spans the time from horse and buggy geology to global positioning systems and laser mapping of outcrops using LIDAR (light detection and ranging); from the birth of aerophotography for mapping to satellite imagery; from benchtop flame mineralogy to electron microscopy, microprobes, and isotope geochemistry; from notebook and pencil to Internet-connected wireless laptops on the outcrop; and the entire development of plate tectonics. These are just a few examples of the great strides geology has made in the 100 years of AASG’s existence. It is the hope of the authors of this volume that historians of science and government will find subject matter in these pages intriguing enough for more scholarly work. We offer this history as just a beginning. We know there are many great stories to be told. Dear State Geologists, Friends, and Colleagues: ASG began 100 years ago in a U.S. Geological Survey conference room in Washington, D.C., and here we are in 2008, celebrating this auspicious anniversary with the USGS, just outside Washington, D.C. AMany historical events have occurred during these 100 years, such as world wars, natural disasters, depressions, environmental and political challenges, and enormous changes in the science. The common element throughout has been the very close relationship we have with the USGS. This federal-state, science-government relationship may be unique among all government agencies and scientific disciplines. Therefore on this centennial anniversary we also celebrate the century-long relationship we have shared together. The very first AASG meeting was attended by 23 state geologists. Dr. Henry B. Kummel, state geologist of New Jersey, was elected the first president. Over these 100 years an enormous amount of planning was required to achieve what in some cases we now take for granted, such as topographic and geologic mapping, stratigraphic nomenclature, mineral- resource assessments, geologic-hazard assessments, and water-resource assessments. These achievements are the blueprints upon which our nation was built, but during nearly every decade, unforeseen events curtailed or even threatened to derail the best of plans. Topographic mapping was interrupted by World War I and the Great Depression. Other upheavals of the 20th century took a toll on other national and state geologic programs, but work was completed and great accomplishments were the result. The minutes of AASG meetings preserved in the archives attest to the cooperation and spirit of being in this together, the AASG and the USGS. This was enough to conquer adversity and get the job done. It is my great honor to be president of the Association of American State Geologists during our centennial year. My hope for this Association is for another 100 years as successful as the first 100. I congratulate all the officers and members past and present who made this day possible by all of their hard work and dedication. There has been a tremendous amount of effort to build this organization into what it is today. AASG has stood for excellence in the geological sciences for the benefit of our states, citizens, and nation. The growth of AASG in the 20th century has paralleled the growth and success of our nation. Our states’ resources and environment collectively have contributed enormously to making our nation the strongest in the world. I believe the state geological surveys and AASG have played a major role in our nation’s success. I see a very bright