Hocking County Minerals
The underlying rock layers of Hocking County date back to the Paleozoic era, being pretty evenly divided between the Pennsylvanian period on the east and the Mississippian period on the west. The Pennsylvanian period extends from 310 to 345 million years ago, while the Mississippian period extends from 345 to 405 million years ago. This wide span of years helps to explain the wide variety of mineral deposits found within Hocking County.
- Mineral Types
- Sand
- Sandstone
- Saltpeter
- Clay
- Coal
- Gravel
- Flint
- Limestone
- Petroleum
- Top Soil
- Forests
- Iron Ore
Sand
Sand was deposited in the northern part of Hocking County by the Wisconsin glacier about 10,000 years ago. The sand is usually found in or near the stopping place of the glacier, called the terminal moraine*. Since early times, its easy availability and versatility have made it extremely valuable.
*Note: You drive across the terminal moraine at the intersection of US 33 and St. Rt. 180.
Sandstone
Sandstone was deposited in Hocking County by the currents of an ancient sea. The high grade sandstone that’s prevalent in the Logan area became the retaining walls, foundation blocks and canal locks that are found across the county. Many such structures remain intact after 150 years. This bounty of sandstone quarries attracted stone masons and builders to Hocking County from all over the region.
Saltpeter
Saltpeter is found on the walls of sandstone caves near the Hocking Hills State Park. It was deposited there over thousands of years by the leaching action of water. Saltpeter was used by local Indian tribes and pioneers to make gun powder and to cure meat.
Clay
High quality clay is found throughout Hocking County. The pioneers used it as chinking in their log houses. Greendale, Logan, Union Furnace, Haydenville, and Diamond flourished as clay manufacturing centers, shipping pottery, bricks and drainage tile to all parts of the County.
Coal
The first boatload of coal from Hocking County departed on the Hocking Canal in September 1840 opening a new era for the region. On June 9, 1869 the coal mining industry was impacted even further when the first carload of coal was shipped by rail out of the Hocking Valley. By the turn of the century, coal had become king in Hocking County. The coal towns of Murray City and Coonville experienced boom times until the end of World War II, and many small mines operated throughout the county. In recent times, strip mining has removed thousands of tons of the region’s coal. Cattle now graze in green pastures on reclaimed land.
Gravel
Gravel is usually found in the glacial deposits with the sand. It is used as a companion to sand, as in road building, and also as a component of concrete.
Flint
Flint is found in natural deposits just north of Logan. The Wyandotte Indians, who lived near the east edge of Logan, and early pioneers, used this flint to make tools and weapons.
Limestone
The rich deposits of limestone in the eastern part of Hocking County made possible the iron smelting industry that thrived here during the Civil War. More than 300 million years ago, the region was covered by the Atlantic Ocean. Shells from clam-like mollusks formed the limestone deposits that are mined today near Maxville.
Petroleum
The first oil well in Hocking County was dug by hand near the mouth of Scott’s Creek. During the first half of the 20th century, numerous oil wells dotted the landscape of the county. Many of these are still active. Petroleum crude oil is the remains of prehistoric life forms.
Top Soil
Pioneers were able to gain a foothold in Hocking County because the rich top soil was ideal for growing crops and pasturing livestock. The top soil on the slopes was built up over eons of recycling vegetation, while the lowlands were constantly enriched by flooding.
Forests
When the pioneers arrived in Hocking County, they found dense, primeval forest that harbored an abundance of game animals. It was also a cornucopia of fruit and nuts, and it was a source of lumber and tanning bark. Eventually much of this forest would be clear cut to supply charcoal for the iron furnaces, and the land would be converted to agriculture.
Iron Ore
Logan was the nucleus of the Hanging Rock Iron Region that extends to the Ohio River. Iron ore was discovered just north of Logan in 1848. After hundreds of tons of local iron ore had been shipped to a furnace in Muskingum County, Logan’s first smelting furnace (The Hocking) was built in 1851. A second furnace was constructed in Logan in 1853. Called The Logan Furnace*, it produced eight tons of iron per day at a cost of $13 per ton. The iron in turn was sold at market for $60 per ton. Iron from Hocking County was made into cannons and cannon balls for the Civil War. During its prime, there were a total of six iron smelting furnaces within the boundaries of the county.
*Note: The Logan Furnace was located on the south side of West Hunter St., from Wood St. to West St. Today, Furnace St. runs north and south between Wood St. and West St. as a constant reminder of those bygone days.
Article by Leland L. Conner
