Summary of Investigations in Late Paleozoic Geology of Ohio1 2
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Copyright © 1979 Ohio Acad. Sci. SUMMARY OF INVESTIGATIONS IN LATE PALEOZOIC GEOLOGY OF OHIO1 2 MYRON T. STURGEON, Department of Geology, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701 Abstract. This report summarizes the development of our understanding of the stratigraphy, paleontology and economic geology of the Carboniferous and Permian Systems of Ohio, and can conveniently be divided into four time units: prior to 1869, 1869-1900, 1900-1949 and 1949 to the present. The first period was a time during which animals and Indians sought essential mineral substances and early explorers reported on geologic features and resources. Notes and reports were published on newly established mineral industries during and after settlement. This period also included publication of two annual reports de- scribing the accomplishments of the short-lived First Ohio Geological Survey in the mid-1830's and publication of notes by individuals on general geology, fossils and mineral resources of the State between 1840 and the Civil War. Systematic investi- gation and reporting on Ohio's geology really began with the establishment of the Second Ohio Geological Survey in 1869 and has continued under three subsequent surveys. The distinguished staff of the Second Survey prepared and published reports on stratigraphy, fossils and mineral resources and the first geologic map including accompanying structure and stratigraphic sections. The Third Survey increased the emphasis on economic geology in its publications, and the Fourth and present Surveys have continued this attention in their appropriate reports and maps. In 1949 the Survey became a division in the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. OHIO J. SCI. 79(3): 99, 1979 This summary pertains to the develop- and most sources of other cited references ment of our understanding of the geology are available in the bibliography, where of the Carboniferous and Permian Sys- a total of more than 600 references are tems in Ohio, with emphasis on stratig- available. raphy, paleontology and economic geol- ogy. Most consideration will be given to PERIOD PRIOR TO 1869 the Pennsylvanian System, since it has Early Use of Minerals. The first indi- received more attention because of its viduals to seek and use the mineral re- large resources of important coals and sources of the Upper Paleozoic rocks in ceramic clays. This report can con- eastern Ohio were undoubtedly the ani- veniently be divided into several time mals requiring salt such as bison, deer, units roughly corresponding with the elk and bear as well as the extinct several organizations of the Ohio Geo- mammoth and mastodon (Hildreth 1838, logical Survey: prior to 1869, 1969-1900, p. 57; Stout, Lamborn and Schaaf 1932, 1900-1949, and 1949 to the present. p. 11), and animals such as birds, beaver Bibliography of Ohio Geology, 1819-1970, and wasps using mud for plugging dams published in four parts by the Ohio Divi- and building homes and nests. American sion of Geological Survey, has been most Indians made the first human observa- useful in preparing this review. Only the tions on the rocks in search of suitable more pertinent references are listed herein, materials for pigments, pottery, tools and weapons, but their early explorations, 1Manuscript received 7 October 1977 and in like those of the animals, are lost in the revised form 27 June 1978 (#77-78). 2 mists of unrecorded antiquity. The abo- Part of a Symposium on the History of Geology in Ohio, presented 2 April 1977 at the rigines did find and use ironstones for Ohio Historical Center. decorative paints (Ohio Historical Society 99 100 MYRON T. STURGEON Vol. 79 1977), buff-burning clays for their pottery tion was expanded by 1800 and attained (Stout et al 1923, p. 7), excellent flint for its maximum production between 1806 their tools and weapons (Stout and and 1808. Twenty furnaces were in Schoenlaub 1945, p. 7) and salt licks and operation and each furnace averaged 50 salt springs for salt (Hildreth 1838, p. 57; to 70 bushels of salt per week, which sold Stout et al 1932, p. 11). for $2.50 per bushel. Other sources of Early Sources of Salt and Development salt were soon discovered throughout the of the Salt Industry. Much of the infor- area of Pennsylvanian outcrops, and mation on salt in the early period has richer brines from these sources and from been taken from Bownocker (1906, pp. wells replaced the Scioto Saline as a 9-18), Hildreth (1838, pp. 57-62) and source of salt. The National Congress Stout et al (1932, pp. 11-14). Hildreth's as early as 1796, and later the Ohio report was the original and principal Legislature, enacted several laws con- source of information on early develop- cerning salt sources and governing the ment of the salt industry for the other salt industry in order to prevent the two reports. establishment of a salt monopoly. The Salt was not only a necessity for cer- danger of a monopoly was over by 1825 tain animals and for the Indians, but also and the saline areas were sold. for the first settlers in Ohio. The ani- Drilled wells soon replaced the seeps mals had long ago discovered and used and springs as sources of salt because they salt seeps and springs, a number of which yielded more copious and richer brines. exist in the Pennsylvanian System of The salt industry expanded into the southeastern Ohio. The bison came in Muskingum Valley in 1817, where pro- herds and developed well established duction increased to between 300,000 and trails that were still recognizable decades 400,000 bushels in 1833. Other early im- after those animals were extirpated from portant producing areas were along Yel- the State. Most likely the Mound Build- low Creek in Columbiana County, the ers and certainly the later Indians ap- Hocking Valley in Athens County and preciated the salt areas as sources of game Leading Creek in Meigs County. In fol- animals and of the salt itself. The abo- lowing decades, expansion continued in rigines developed simple means of refining Athens, Columbiana, Guernsey, Meigs, the salt by evaporation in sunlight. Morgan and Tuscarawas Counties. Meigs One of the better known prehistoric County, in the vicinity of Pomeroy, be- salt sources was Scioto Saline along Salt came the largest and most important Creek in Jackson County, where weak producer of salt from brines. The brine brine flowed from the Sharon conglom- salt industry began a decline about 1870 erate (Stout et al 1932, p. 11). Here the as a result of competition from Silurian Indians, at low water stages during the rock salt, first in Michigan and later in summer, evaporated in sunlight the weak northeastern Ohio, with an accompanying brine from the creek in basins dug in the decline in price. Production from brines sandstone. They continued this practice has, however, continued until recently at as late as 1815. Pomeroy, and brines are still a source of Manufacture of salt was the first min- magnesium and of various materials for eral industry to be established in Ohio chemical industries (Stout et al 1932, p. 9). during its settlement as a territory. It Flint and Its Uses. Flint, which was is probable that French fur-traders knew so essential to the American Indians and of the salt sources in the State early in their culture, was also a necessity to the the 1700's and Virginia colonists definitely pioneers for buhrstones used in grinding knew of them in 1755. Salt brought their grain in water-powered mills. In from the Atlantic seaboard cost $4.00 to Ohio, flint occurs locally in certain Penn- $8.00 a bushel, and the early settlers sylvanian marine strata, viz., Boggs, eagerly sought local sources of that es- Brush Creek, Cambridge, Mercer, Put- sential commodity. Possibly as early as name Hill, Vanport and Zaleski members. 1795, and certainly by 1797 or 1798, the The Vanport flint on Flint Ridge in Lick- settlers started evaporation of brine in ing County and near McArthur in Vinton kettles at the Scioto Saline. The opera- County was the principal source of buhr- Ohio J. Sci. PALEOZOIC GEOLOGY OF OHIO 101 stones. Quarrying of buhrstones con- coal was mined in Jackson County and tinued until approximately 1840 (Stout used for salt manufacture in 1823 and and Schoenlaub 1945, pp. 7-8). Flint was later in the metallurgy of iron. Coal also used in flintlock rifles of the pioneers, was used not only for heating and black- but Ohio's flints were not of high enough smithing purposes but also for evapora- quality for this purpose. Today flint is tion of brines, to heat steam boilders, used only for decorative purposes and is and in iron blast furnaces and forges. Ohio's "gemstone". Recorded prices indicate that coal sold Coal and Development of Coal Mining for 3 cents a bushel at Marietta in and Use. Eavenson's The First Cen- 1812 and was almost as cheap at Zanes- tury and a Quarter of American Coal ville. In 1810, coal shipped from Pom- Industry, privately published in 1942, was eroy to Louisville, Kentucky sold for 25 the source of much information for the cents a bushel or $6.25 a ton. following summary. The Indians did The coal industry received a big stim- not mine or use coal except for black pig- ulus with the digging of canals, and the ments and ornaments carved from cannel first coal shipments via canals were made coal since wood was plentiful for fuel. in the late 1820's. Numerous new mines The early European explorers and traders were opened along the canals wherever certainly saw numerous exposures of coal good minable coal was available.