As we move content to the new web site, we wanted to keep the information about past field trips. We look forward to more field trips like these:
—————- 2008 ———————-
Check the web site for details or contact John Good at 
630-483-2363
for confirmation and reservations or e-mail at esconi@hotmail.com
Field Trip #6 & 7: September 20,21 2008 – Braceville, Illinois for Mazon Creek
Field Trip #5: Mastodon
Excavation Field Trip
Join us on Friday, August 1, 2008 from 11:30 a.m. until approximately 2:00 p.m.
as we help Forest Preserve District of DuPage County experts uncover a local
mastodon. We will meet in the day use parking lot (by the shelter) at James
“Pate” Phillip State Park off Sterns Road just east of Illinois 25, Bartlett,
Illinois for a unique opportunity.
In 2005, several molars and a rib fragment of an 11,500-year old mastodon were
discovered in DuPage County at Pratts Wayne Woods Forest Preserve near James
“Pate” Phillip State Park. Standing nearly 10 feet tall and weighing up to six
tons, the American mastodon (Mammut americanum) was one of the greatest mammals
to ever thunder across the Midwest. But by 10,000 years ago, the great mastodon,
as well as many other Ice Age mammals, fell into extinction.
Typically, a team of specialists would excavate the remaining mastodon fossils.
However, last year, in cooperation with the Field Museum’s Education Department
and the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, a group of 12 teachers and 22
high school students participated in the dig as part of Mastodon Camp! Although
complete bones proved elusive, the group uncovered dozens of bone, tusk, and
wood fragments. Every participant found something.
This year ESCONI members will get an opportunity to participate in the
excavation as well. We will be prepped in proper scientific procedures prior to
working the excavation site. However, being a scientific excavation, all
artifacts that are found will remain the property of the Forest Preserve
District of DuPage County.
There is no cost for this field trip. However, please remember that field trips
are only open to current ESCONI members. Participation is encouraged for Junior
members, but the field trip is open all ESCONI members. Note that a parent is
required to be present with a Junior member(s). This field trip also is limited
to 25 participants. Reservations are being taken until July 15th. First-come,
first served. Also, everyone will be required to sign a liability waiver which
will be provided at the site. Restrooms are available nearby. Do bring water and
sunscreen.
For further information or to make your reservation, please contact Joe Kubal,
ESCONI, 30W600 Sunrise Road, Naperville, IL 60563, 630-983-6159,
SMKubal0712@aol.com.
Field Trip #4 : May 18, 2008: Pit 11 Fossil Trip
Field Trip #3 : May 17, 2008 – Braceville, Illinois for Mazon Creek for fossils – Private Property
Field Trip #2 Olgesby, Illinois May 10, 2008, Lone Star quarry. Fossils Sharks Teeth
Field Trip #1 April 5, 2008 – Jacob’s Geodes, Hamiliton, Illinois 9:00 A.M. Geodes
—————- 2007 ———————-
Field Trip #8 September 22,23 2007 – Braceville, Illinois 9:00 A.M. Mazon Creek Fossils
We will be collecting Mazon Creek concretions from a old spoil pile. Hard Hats are not required. Boots are recommended. An Estwing rock hammer is the best tool. A small shovel is helpful. Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs, extra clothes (you will get wet and muddy) are also a plus. Bring a bucket for the fossils.
Field Trip #7: Saturday September 15, 2007 8:45 AM, Lone Star quarry. Fossils Sharks Teeth
Age limit of 13 and above. Children must be supervised by parent. Hard Hats Required.
Meet at the Lone Star Quarry outside of Olgesby, Illinois at 8:45 A.M.. Take I-80 to Exit 81, South Hy 178. Take South Hy 178 south across the Illinois River. Turn right at Highway 71. Go past East 651st Road. Look for the Lone Star Quarry sign at the next road. Turn there and park along the road. The quarry entrance will be locked. Total distance from Hanover Park to Olgesby is 97 miles.
Field Trip #6: Saturday June 16, 2007 – 7:30 AM – 11:30 am, St. Paul, Indiana: Fossils – Crinoids, Trilobites
We have been given another chance at St. Paul, Indiana. A trip is scheduled for Saturday, June 16 7:30am until 11:30am (NOTE: Indiana is on Daylight Savings this year so it is 6:30am to 10:30 am Chicago time). NOBODY under 18 years of age and this is nonnegotiable.
Limited to 20 people and ages 18 and up. This is a working quarry so hard hats are required. Directions will be posted as soon as available.
St. Paul, Indiana: Fossils – Crinoids, Trilobites
We have been given another chance at St. Paul, Indiana. A trip is scheduled for Saturday, June 16 7:30am until 11:30am (NOTE: Indiana is on Daylight Savings this year so it is 6:30am to 10:30 am Chicago time). NOBODY under 18 years of age and this is nonnegotiable.
Limited to 20 people and ages 18 and up. This is a working quarry so hard hats are required. Directions will be posted as soon as available.
ARCHAEOLOGY FIELD TRIP: Sunday May 26, 2007, Meet at Dickson Mounds, Lewistown, Illinois at 1 pm.
All are invited to join Archaeology Study Group Chairman Bryan Nugent and Archaeologist, Educator and ESCONI Member Brian Bardy on a field trip and extensive tour of Dickson Mounds, an extremely important, Illinois archaeological site. We will meet at the Mounds Visitor’s Center at 1 pm. The Mounds are about a 2 ½ to 3 hour drive South from Chicago. If you have any questions beforehand, call Bryan at 630-960-5147.
Dickson Mounds is located near the confluence of the Illinois and Spoon rivers in Fulton County and was named for the Dickson family that purchased the land for a farm and orchard in 1834. While preparing the land to plant fruit trees, workers began discovering artifacts and bones. They also discovered the mounds that dotted the area were manmade, and that some of them were constructed to house the dead.
The study of the ancient past at the Dickson Site began in 1927 when Dr. Don F. Dickson conducted excavations on the family farm, during an era when the discovery of King Tut’s tomb in Egypt captivated the nation’s interest in archaeology. He began excavating the burial mounds and turned the site into a museum of sorts. The site became famous for the study of Native Americans in the 1930s and 40s, when archaeologists from the Univers
ity of Chicago began excavating other sites in the area.
His work attracted the attention of the public and scholars. University of Chicago archaeologists, who excavated in the area in the 1930s, established many of the methods and field techniques of modern archaeology using this site. Over the years Dickson Mounds has been a center for the study and interpretation of the prehistory of the Illinois River Valley, one of the richest archaeological regions in the country.
Field Trip #4,5: May 19,20, 2007 – Braceville, Illinois for Mazon Creek for fossils – Private Property
Meet at 9:00 A.M. Saturday and or Sunday at the BP Amoco in Coal City. No Age Limit. Hard Hats not required. Take I-55 to Exit 236 (Coal City). Take a right onto Highway 113 (Division Street). Go west to Broadway Street and Division in Coal City.
We will be collecting Mazon Creek concretions from an old spoil pile on private property. Hard hats are not required. Boots are recommended. An Estwing rock hammer is the best tool. A small shovel or pick is helpful. Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs, extra clothes (you will get wet and muddy) are also a plus. Bring a bucket for the fossils. Also bring insect repellant.
Field Trip #3 Lone Star May 12, 2007
Age limit of 13 and above. Children must be supervised by parent. Hard Hats Required. Meet at the Lehigh Park in Olgesby, Illinois at 9:00 A.M.. Take I-80 to Exit 81, South Hy 178. Take South Hy 178 south across the Illinois River. Turn right at Highway 71. Turn left at East 651st Road and take it across the Vermillion River into Walnut Street. At Walnut and East 651st Street is Lehigh park. Total distance from Hanover Park to LeHigh Park is 97 miles.
We will be collecting fossils from a working quarry. Avoid the walls of the quarry. Shark’s teeth have been found here. New areas of black shale have been exposed. Boots are recommended. An Estwing rock hammer is the best tool. Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs and extra clothes are also a plus. Bring a bucket for the fossils. Bring plenty of water and a lunch.
Field Trip #2: PIT 11 APRIL 29, 2007
Richard Rock has organized a Mazon Creek Fossil Collecting Trip on a boat to Braidwood. The cost will be $10, $5 for children under 12.
You will be assigned a time to be at the dock, as we will be leaving the dock in groups of 5 plus the captain of the boat. The first group will leave at 8:00 am. As payment is received, you will be assigned a time to be at the dock. Everyone will have at least four (4) hours of collecting time. There will be a waiver signed before leaving the dock. You must also have been a member on March 1, 2007.
Children are welcome, each must wear a floatation device while in the boat, at all times. Each must be accompanied by an adult at all times. You are responsible for your children. They are to be with you at all times. Children’s cost is $5.00, under 12 years old. What to bring? Bags or buckets and a hammer. Lunch, lots of insect repellant for ticks and …, a small cooler is okay.
There will be three leaders on this trip. we reserve the right to refuse a reservation, or to ask you to leave if there is a problem. A strip mine area can be a dangerous experience, we are not responsible for you, anything lost, stolen, left behind, or an injury of any kind.
Please send a check or money order to Richard Rock, PO Box 726, Wilmington, IL. 60481. reservations close on April 14th, or sooner if we fill up the reservations. no phone reservations. 1-815-476-7040. I need your address and e-mail. (if this works out we will do this again in Sept.)
Take IL. 53 south to Godley, Kankakee road to the boat ramp.
Field Trip #1 – Geodes at Jacobs Geodes, Hamilton, Illinois. March 31, 2007
Meet at 9:00 am at 823 E. County Rd. 1220 in Hamilton, Illinois at Jacob’s Geodes. $15 for a full 5-gallon pail. Hard hats not required. Boots and safety glasses recommended. An Eastwing rock hammer is the best tool. Chisels, pick and pry bar are good also. Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs, extra clothes (you will get wet and muddy) are also a plus.
Directions: From Western Illinois University
Odometer Reading (approximate)
&nb
sp; 0.0 Turn LEFT (South) onto (N) Ward St. for 0.4 miles
0.4 Turn RIGHT (West) onto US-136 [W. Jackson St.] for 36.2 miles
36.6 Turn LEFT (South) onto SR-96 [N. 14th St.] for 1.3 miles
37.9 Bear RIGHT (West) onto 2nd St. [S. 2nd St.] for 0.1 miles
38.0 Arrive Jacobs Geodes – 823 E. County Road 1220
—————- 2006 ———————-
Field Trip #7: Saturday September 23, 2006, Lone Star quarry. Olgesby, Illinois Fossils Sharks Teeth
Age limit of 13 and above. Children must be supervised by parent. Hard Hats Required. Meet at the Lehigh Park in Olgesby, Illinois at 9:00 A.M.. Take I-80 to Exit 81, South Hy 178. Take South Hy 178 south across the Illinois River. Turn right at Highway 71. Turn left at East 651st Road and take it across the Vermillion River into Walnut Street. At Walnut and East 651st Street is Lehigh park. Total distance from Hanover Park to LeHigh Park is 97 miles.
We will be collecting fossils from a working quarry. Avoid the walls of the quarry. Shark’s teeth have been found here. New areas of black shale have been exposed. Boots are recommended. An Estwing rock hammer is the best tool. Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs and extra clothes are also a plus. Bring a bucket for the fossils. Bring plenty of water and a lunch.
Field Trip #6 September 16,17 2006, Braceville, Illinois 9:00 A.M. Mazon Creek Fossils – Private Property
We will be collecting Mazon Creek concretions from a old spoil pile. Hard Hats are not required. Boots are recommended. An Estwing rock hammer is the best tool. A small shovel is helpful. Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs, extra clothes (you will get wet and muddy) are also a plus. Bring a bucket for the fossils
Field Trip #5: Sunday September 10, 2006, Illinois Cement Quarry: Fossils, Sharks Teeth
Sunday 9:00 A.M. Meet at the Quarry. Hard Hats required. Boots recommended. Age Limit is 16 and above. Take Interstate I-80 to Interstate I-39; Take a left and go south to Illinois Route 6. Take a right on IL-6. About 600 ft you will take a right onto Troy Grove. You will take a left onto Oakwood cemetery road. Stop and wait at the gate. Bruce Galloway will have copies of the liability form for each ESCONI member to sign. Please call John Good at 630-483-2363 for reservations or e-mail at ESCONI-TRIPS@comcast.net. Please note; parking in the quarry may be limited due to muddy conditions. In case of rain, the trip will be cancelled. Don’t forget boots.
Field Trip #4: Saturday August 19, 2006 – 7:30 AM – 11:30 am, St. Paul, Indiana: Fossils – Crinoids, Trilobites
We have been given another chance at St. Paul, Indiana. A trip is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, August 19th 7:30am until 11:30am (NOTE: Indiana is on Daylight Savings this year so it is 6:30am to 10:30 am Chicago time). They reiterated the age limit: NOBODY under 18 years of age and this is nonnegotiable. They also request that we park away from the road into the quarry so we do not block trucks–I’ll be there (hopefully) to direct traffic John Catalani Field Trip Assistant-Chair
Field Trip #3: May 21, 2006 – Braceville, Illinois for Mazon Creek for fossils – Private Property
We will be collecting Mazon Creek concretions from an old spoil pile on private property. Hard hats are not required. Boots are recommended. An Estwing rock hammer is the best tool. A small shovel or pick is helpful. Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs, extra clothes (you will get wet and muddy) are also a plus. Bring a bucket for the fossils. Also bring insect repellant.
Field Trip #2: May 13, 2006 – SciTech Hands On Museum: Dinosaurs From Argentina and Antarctica
Rob Sula will be giving a special tour on May 13 at 1pm. ($11) at the
SciTech Hands on Museum, 18 W. Benton St., Aurora, IL, 630-859-3434. Rob will be showing an exhibit of dinosaurs from Argentina and Antarctica that he helped put together. The tour will include over 20 exhibits including seven complete skeletons. The “only U.S. showing” of this exhibit is running form March 26 through September 4.
Field Trip #1 – Geodes at Jacobs Geodes, Hamilton, Illinois. Saturday April 8, 2006 – 9:00 AM
Meet at 9:00 am at 823 E. County Rd. 1220 in Hamilton, Illinois at Jacob’s Geodes. $15 for a full 5-gallon pail. Hard hats not required. Boots and safety glasses recommended. An Eastwing rock hammer is the best tool. Chisels, pick and pry bar are good also. Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs, extra clothes (you will get wet and muddy) are also a plus.
—————- 2005 ———————-
Field Trip #7 – Braceville, September 24,25 2005, 9:00 A.M. Mazon Creek Fossils
No Age Limit. Helmets Not Required. Call Randall Bultman at 815-722-0449 for reserva
tions or e-mail at esconi-trips@comcast.net
Meet at the BP Amoco gas station in Coal City. Take I-55 to Exit 236 (Coal City). Take a right onto Highway 113 (Division Street). Go west to Broadway Street and Division in Coal City.
Field Trip #6, June 18, 2005 St. Paul, Indiana 7:30 A.M. Fossils – Crinoids, Trilobites
Limited to 20 people and ages 18 and up. Collecting will be from 7:30 am to 11:30 am eastern time. This is a working quarry so hard hats are required. Directions will be posted as soon as available.
We will be collecting Mazon Creek concretions from a old spoil pile (Private Property and gated). Hard Hats are not required. Boots are recommended. An Estwing rock hammer is the best tool. A small shovel is helpful. Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs, extra clothes (you will get wet and muddy) are also a plus. Bring a bucket for the fossils.
Field Trip #5, June 6, 2005, Illinois Cement Quarry Field Trip, LaSalle, Illinois, Sunday 9:00 A.M.
Meet at the Quarry. Hard Hats required. Boots recommended. Age Limit is 13 and above. Take Interstate I-80 to Interstate I-39; Take a left and go south to Illinois Route 6. Take a right on IL-6. About 600 ft you will take a right onto Troy Grove. You will take a left onto Oakwood cemetery road. Stop and wait at the gate. Bruce Galloway will have copies of the liability form for each ESCONI member to sign. Please call Randall Bultman at 815-72… for reservations or e-mail at ESCONI-TRIPS@comcast.net. Please note; parking in the quarry may be limited due to muddy conditions. In case of rain, the trip will be cancelled. Don’t forget boots.
Field Trip #4, June 4, 2005 Braceville, Illinois 9:00 A.M. Mazon Creek Fossils.
No Age Limit. Helmets Not Required. Please call Randall Bultman at 815-722-0449 for reservations or e-mail at ESCONI-TRIPS@comcast.net. Meet at the BP Amoco gas station in Coal City. Take I-55 to Exit 236 (Coal City). Take a right onto Highway 113 (Division Street). Go west to Broadway Street and Division in Coal City.
We will be collecting Mazon Creek concretions from a old spoil pile. Hard Hats are not required. Boots are recommended. An Estwing rock hammer is the best tool. A small shovel is helpful. Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs, extra clothes (you will get wet and muddy) are also a plus. Bring a bucket for the fossils.
Field Trip #3, May 21, 2005 Lone Star Field Trip 9:00 AM
A field trip on Saturday May 21, 2004 has been scheduled to Lone Star quarry. Please call Randall Bultman at 815-722-0449 for reservations or e-mail at ESCONI-TRIPS@comcast.net.
Age limit of 13 and above. Children must be supervised by parent. Hard Hats Required.
Meet at the Lehigh Park at 9:00 A.M.. Take I-80 to Exit 81, South Hy 178. Take South Hy 178 south across the Illinois River. Turn right at Highway 71. Turn left at East 651st Road and take it across the Vermillion River into Walnut Street. At Walnut and East 651st Street is Lehigh park. Total distance from Hanover Park to LeHigh Park is 97 miles.
We will be collecting fossils from a working quarry. Avoid the walls of the quarry. Shark’s teeth have been found here. New areas of black shale have been exposed. Boots are recommended. An Estwing rock hammer is the best tool. Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs and extra clothes are also a plus. Bring a bucket for the fossils. Bring plenty of water and a lunch.
Field Trip #2 – Geodes at Jacobs Geodes, Hamilton, Illinois. Sunday April 10, 2005 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Meet at 9:00 am at 823 E. County Rd. 1220 in Hamilton, Illinois at Jacob’s Geodes. $15 for a full 5-gallon pail. Hard hats not required. Boots and safety glasses recommended. An Eastwing rock hammer is the best tool. Chisels, pick and pry bar are good also. Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs, extra clothes (you will get wet and muddy) are also a plus.
Field Trip #1 – Braceville, Illinois 9:00 A.M. Mazon Creek Fossils. Saturday March 26, 2005
No Age Limit. Helmets Not Required. Please call John Good at 
630-483-2363 for reservations or e-mail at jgood10481@aol.com.
Meet at the BP Amoco gas station in Coal City. Take I-55 to Exit 236 (Coal City). Take a right onto Highway 113 (Division Street). Go west to Broadway Street and Division in Coal City.
We will be collecting Mazon Creek concretions from a old spoil pile. Hard Hats are not required. Boots are recommended. An Estwing rock hammer is the best tool. A small shovel is helpful. Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs, extra clothes (you will get wet and muddy) are also a plus. Bring a bucket for the fossils.
—————- 2004 ———————-
Field Trip #14 Nov 21, 2004 Lone Star Field Trip 9:00 AM
A field trip on Sunday November 21, 2004 has been scheduled to Lone Star quarry. Age limit of 12 and above. Children must be supervised by parent. Hard Hats Required.
We will be collecting fossils from a working quarry. Avoid the walls of the quarry. Shark’s teeth have been found here. New areas of black shale have been exposed. Boots are recommended. An Estwing rock hammer is the best tool. Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs and extra clothes are also a plus. Bring a bucket for the fossils. Bring plenty of water and a lunch.
Field Trip #13 October 16, 2004 FIELD TRIP – St. Paul, Indiana
St. Paul, Indiana 7:30 A.M. Fossils – Crinoids, Trilobites Limited to 20 people and ages 18 and up. Collecting will be from 7:30 am to 11:30 am eastern time. This is a working quarry so hard hats are required.
Field Trip #11,12 October 9,10 (Sat/Sunday): Braceville, Illinois – Collecting Mazon Creek Fossils (Tentative)
Meet at 9:00 A.M. Saturday and or Sunday at the BP Amoco in Coal City. No Age Limit. Hard Hats not required. We will be collecting Mazon Creek concretions from a old spoil pile. Hard hats are not required. Boots are recommended. An Estwing rock hammer is the best tool. A small shovel or pick is helpful. Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs, extra clothes (you will get wet and muddy) are also a plus. Bring a bucket for the fossils. Also bring insect repellant.
ARCHAEOLOGY STUDY GROUP FIELD TRIP – Sunday, October 3, 2004
All ESCONI members are invited to attend the Study Group’s field trip to the Indian Artifact show in Yorkville, Illinois on Sunday, October 3. Study group members will meet in Yorkville at the Beecher Center, 908 Game Farm Road, West of Route 47 and South of Route 34, at 11:00 a.m. and then eat lunch together following the show. Do join us.
Last year the Svoboda’s and Rogers’ attended this happening sponsored by the Illinois State Archaeological Society. They reported there were displays of many great, old, authentic Indian artifacts including caches of arrowheads, hammerstones, pottery, baskets, and weavings. As a result of their visit, Greg Neumann exhibited his caches of arrowheads at ESCONI’s March show. Hope you got a chance to see them.
This is a rare opportunity to see some of these pieces outside museums.
Field Trip #10 September 18, 2004 FIELD TRIP – St. Paul, Indiana Fossils – Crinoids, Trilobites Limited to 20 people and ages 18 and up. Collecting will be from 7:30 am to 11:30 am eastern time. This is a working quarry so hard hats are required. Directions will be posted as soon as available.
This trip will be repeated October 16, 2004
June 5: Hamilton, Illinois– Collecting Geodes
Field Trip #7 Saturday, June 5 – Geodes at Jacobs Geodes, Hamilton, Illinois.
Meet at 8:00 am at 823 E. County Rd. 1220 in Hamilton, Illinois at Jacob’s Geodes. $15 for a full 5-gallon pail. Hard hats not required. Boots and safety glasses recommended. An Eastwing rock hammer is the best tool. Chisels, pick and pry bar are good also. Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs, extra clothes (you will get wet and muddy) are also a plus.
Field Trip #6- May 23, 2004 Sunday, Braceville – Mazon Creek Concretions
Field Trip #5- April 25, 2004 Sunday, 9:00 A.M. – 2:00 A.M.
Field Trip #4 – Geodes at Jacobs Geodes, Hamilton, Illinois. Sunday, March 28th – Noon to 4:00 pm
Field Trip #3 Sunday, March 28th – 8:00 am to Noon March 28 Sunday: Alexandria,Missouri and Hamilton, Illinois– Collecting Geodes
Field Trip #1,2 – March 20-21 Braceville, Illinois 9:00 A.M. Mazon Creek Fossils.
—————- 2003 ———————-
Field Trip
#1 – Sunday March 23, 2003, Braceville, Illinois 9:00 A.M.
Mazon Creek Fossils (Private Property)
We will be collecting Mazon Creek concretions from a
old spoil pile located on private property. Helmets are not required. Boots are
recommended. An Estwing rock hammer is the best tool. A small shovel
is helpful. Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs, extra clothes (you will get
wet and muddy) are also a plus. Bring a bucket for the fossils.
Field Trip #2
– Sunday March
30, 2003 8:00 A.M., Collecting
Geodes at Sheffler’s Geode Mine
We will meet at 8:00 A.M. at Shefflers Geode Mine 6 miles south of Alexandria, Missouri on Highway 61. Hard hats not required. Boots and safety glasses are
recommended. An Estwing rock hammer is the best tool. Chisels, pick and pry bar are good also. Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs, extra clothes (you will get wet and muddy) are also a plus. $15 for 50 pounds of geodes.
Field Trip
#3 – April 5, 2003 Saturday –
Joint Field Trip With Minnesota Mineral Clu, Braceville, Illinois 9:00 A.M.
Mazon Creek Fossils (Private Property)
We will be collecting Mazon Creek concretions from a
old spoil pile located on private property. Helmets are not required. Boots are
recommended. An Estwing rock hammer is the best tool. A small shovel
is helpful. Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs, extra clothes (you will get
wet and muddy) are also a plus. Bring a bucket for the fossils.
Field Trip #4
Lone Star Quarry, Olgesby, Illinois (Fossils)
– Joint
Field Trip With Minnesota Mineral Clu, April
6, 2003 Sunday, 9:00
A.M. – 2:00 A.M. (Scheduled)
Age limit of 10 and above. Children must be
supervised by parent. Hard Hats Required. Meet at the Lehigh Park at 9:00 A.M.. Take
I-80 to Exit 81, South Hy 178. Take South Hy 178 south across the Illinois
River. Turn right at Highway 71. Turn left at East 651st Road and take it across
the Vermillion River into Walnut Street. At Walnut and East 651st Street is
Lehigh park. Total distance from Hanover Park to LeHigh Park is 97 miles.
We will be collecting fossils from a working
quarry. Avoid the walls of the quarry. Shark’s teeth have been found here. New
areas of black shale have been exposed. Boots are recommended. An Estwing rock
hammer is the best tool. Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs and extra
clothes are also a plus. Bring a bucket for the fossils. Bring plenty of water
and a lunch.
MAY
4, 2003
Field Trip #5 Illinois Cement Quarry,
LaSalle, Illinois,
Sunday 9:00 A.M.
Sunday 9:00 A.M. Meet at the Quarry. Hard Hats
required. Boots recommended. Age Limit is 12 and above. Take Interstate I-80 to Interstate I-39;
Take a left and go south to Illinois Route 6. Take a right on IL-6. About 600 ft
you will take a right onto Troy Grove. You will take a left onto Oakwood
cemetery road. Stop and wait at the gate. Bruce Galloway will have copies of the liability
form for each ESCONI member to sign. Please
call John Good at 630… for reservations or e-mail at jgood10481@aol.com.
Please note; parking in the quarry may be limited due to muddy conditions.
In case of rain, the trip will be cancelled. Don’t forget boots.
Field Trip #6 – May 17,Field Trip
#7 – May 18, MAY
17,18 2003 Braceville, Illinois 9:00 A.M. –
2:00 P.M. Mazon
Creek Fossils.
No Age Limit. Children under 10 must be
supervised. Hard hats Not Required. Please
call John Good at 630… for reservations or e-mail at jgood10481@aol.com.
Meet at the BP- Amoco gas station in Coal City. Take
I-55 to Exit 236 (Coal City). Take a right onto Highway 113 (Division
Street). Go west to Broadway Street and Division in Coal City.
We will be collecting Mazon Creek concretions from a
old spoil pile. Helmets are not required. Boots are
recommended. An Estwing rock hammer is the best tool. A small shovel
or pick is helpful. Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs, extra clothes (you will get
wet and muddy) are also a plus. Bring a bucket for the fossils. In
the late spring, summer and fall; bring insect repellant.
August 1-3, 2003
Ishpeming 28th Annual Rock & Mineral Club Show
597 Lake Shore
Drive
Ishpeming,
Michigan
Free Admission
August 1 –
Field Trips to Local Quarries for micromount. Hard Hat and Goggles required.
August 2 – Show
with demonstrations, display, dealers and silent auction
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (All times are Easter Daylight Savings Time)
August 3 –
Field Trip to Lindberg Quarry for Kona Dolomite.
Hard Hat and Goggles required.
Field
Trip #8 Ishpeming
2003 by John Good
First, I went to the Republic Mine
Overlook in Republic. The Republic Mine Overlook shows a small lake with steep
cliffs where once a huge iron mine stood. A small pile of hematite and taconite
are out side for visitors to collect. A half-dozen signs describe the history
of the Republic mine. Friday morning, Jim Daly from ESCONI attended the
Ishpeming field trip to the Republic Mine. An Ishpeming member opened the gate
and they collected on the mine dumps themselves.
Saturday, I went to the Cliff Shaft
Museum in Ishpeming. This museum opened just last year. The mineral displays
are graciously generated by the Ishpeming Mineral Club. I attended a lecture on
the history of the Cliff Shaft mine then took a one hour tour from the
underground workings to the above ground head frames(shaped as an Egyptian
obelisk) of the mine. I was able to collect taconite and hematite from the
dumps.
Sunday I went to the Iron Industry
Museum in Negaunee. Amid the forested ravines of the Marquette Iron Range, the
Michigan Iron Industry Museum overlooks the Carp River and the site of the first
iron forge in the Lake Superior region.
Here, from 1848 to 1855, the Jackson
Iron Company and others manufactured wrought iron from local ore and
demonstrated the high quality of Michigan’s iron ore deposits. In that pioneer
enterprise was the seed of the Michigan iron industry that flourished for 125
years and still produces nearly one-quarter of the iron ore mined in the United
States. Today, museum exhibits, audiovisual programs and outdoor interpretive
paths depict the large-scale capital and human investment that made Michigan an
industrial leader.
Sunday afternoon, I went to the
Lindberg quarry with the Ishpeming club, having paid $3 at the Ishpeming Show on
Saturday. We went into the quarry at 1:00 pm eastern time. Quickly we all
found the pinkish rocks with the layers; Kona Dolomite. This fossilized algae
from the Precambrian (2.25 billion years old) makes great cutting material and
can be turned into slabs, pyramids and cabachons. In one hour of collecting,
I found 175 lbs of Kona Dolomite including one (1) fifty-five (55)
flagstone-shaped boulder.
Ishpeming
Links
Mining in
Michigan Gallery, Michigan Historical Museum
http://www.sos.state.mi.us/history/museum/explore/museums/hismus/prehist/mining/index.html
Republic
Iron Mine
http://www.exploringthenorth.com/republic/mine.html
Field Trip #9 – September 20, Field Trip
#10 – September 21, SEPT 20-21, 2003 (Sat/Sunday) Braceville, Illinois
– Collecting Mazon Creek Fossils
Meet at 9:00 A.M. Saturday and or Sunday at the
BP Amoco in Coal
City. Contact John Good 630-483-2363 or e-mail Jgood10481@aol.com
for signup. Take I-55 to Exit 236 (Coal City). Take a right onto
Highway 113 (Division Street). Go west to Broadway Street and Division in Coal
City.
We will be collecting Mazon Creek concretions from a
old spoil pile. Helmets are not required. Boots are recommended. An Estwing rock
hammer is the best tool. A small shovel or pick is helpful. Knee pads,
backpacks, fanny packs, extra clothes (you will get wet and muddy) are also a
plus. Bring a bucket for the fossils. Also bring insect repellant.
—————- 2002 ———————-
Field Trip
#1 – March 23, Field Trip
#2 – March 24, Braceville, Illinois 9:00 A.M. –
2:00 P.M. Mazon
Creek Fossils.
Field Trip #3
Lone Star Quarry, Olgesby, Illinois, April
7, 2002 Sunday, 9:00
A.M. – 2:00 A.M.
Field Trip #4
– Collecting
Geodes at Sheffler’s Geode Mine, Saturday
April 13 8:00 A.M.
Field Trip
#5 – Collecting Fluorite at the Columbia Mine, Marion, Kentucky, Saturday,
Sunday April 27-28
Field Trip #6 –
May 18 Braceville, Illinois 9:00 A.M. –
2:00 P.M. Mazon
Creek Fossils.
Field Trip #7 –
May 19 Braceville, Illinois 9:00 A.M. –
2:00 P.M. Mazon
Creek Fossils.
Field Trip #8 – June 9 Illinois Cement Quarry,
LaSalle, Illinois,
Sunday 8:00 A.M.
Field Trip #9 June 10 – 21, 2002 Summer Field Trip to
Nebraska / South Dakota
Field Trip #10 August 2-4, 2002 Ishpeming, Michigan
Ishpeming 27th Rock & Mineral Club Show
597 Lake Shore
Drive
Ishpeming,
Michigan
Free Admission
August 2 –
Field Trips to Local Quarries for micromount. Hard Hat and Goggles required.
August 3 – Show
with demonstrations, display, dealers and silent auction
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
August 4 –
Field Trip to Lindberg Quarry for Kona Dolomite.
Hard Hat and Goggles required.
Field Trip #11 Aug 31, Sept 1,2 2002 (Labor Day) 9:30 A.M.
Prairie DuChien – Collecting Lake Superior Agates
Field Trip
#12,13 SEPT 28-29, 2002 (Sat/Sunday)
Braceville, Illinois
– Collecting Mazon Creek Fossils
Field Trip #14
Lone Star Quarry, Olgesby, Illinois – Fossils
October 13, 2002 Sunday, 9:00
A.M. – 2:00 A.M.
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