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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 11 2008, 7:54 AM EDT | aubreyreynolds9@gmai | 1 word added |
| Jun 11 2008, 7:53 AM EDT | aubreyreynolds9@gmai | 63 words added, 4 words deleted |
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| TREASURE HUNTING IN ILLINOIS Add what you know about this area to create a handy guide for other treasure hunters. |
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| What this area is known for: 1. Fossils 2. Geodes 3. Fluorite minerals 4. | Biggest finds in this area: 1.World famous Mazon Creek Fossils 2. Geodes from 1" to 12" in diameter 3. Rare and pricey mineral specimens from the Fluorite Mining District of southern Illinois |
| Local appraisers: 1. Name, contact info/website 2. 3. 4. | Local geocaching/treasure hunting clubs: 1. Club name, contact info 2. 3. 4. |
| Best time of year to go: From April to October or until the snow gets off the ground whichever comes first. | Other helpful resources: 1. Illnois State Museum www.museum.state.il.us/exhibits/mazon_creek 2. 3. |
| Have a question about treasure hunting or geocaching in this region? Post a comment for fellow treasure hunters below! | |
| THE BEST PLACES TO HUNT Regions can have multiple good spots to go — add details to build a complete guide. |
| Location #1: Mazon Creek General description: Carboniferous-age Mazon Creek is a one of the best fossil ares in the world. The tailing piles of coal strip mines of Northeast Illinois contain strange nodules of siderite. These nodules will split easily along the middle with the tap of a hammer revealing perfectly preserved plant, insects, centipedes and millipedes. You might even find the Tully Monster. The Mazon Creek area is part of the the Francis Creek Shale formation. For more information visit the following site: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/carboniferous/mazon.html | How to get there: Most of the fossils come from the Mazon Creek area of Grundy, Will, Kankakee, and Livingston counties. In this area fossils are recovered from natural exposures on Mazon Creek, from active and abandoned strip mines, from shaft mines, and from mine spoil piles. A map to the Mazon area is provided at : www.museum.state.il.us/exhibits/mazon_creek |
| Grade this location: (A to F): | GPS coordinates: |
| Handy to bring along: 1. Bucket 2. Rock hammer 3. Safety glasses | Helpful notes to newcomers: Always ask permission to collect on private property. |
| Location #2: Geodes General description: Sedimentary geodes lined with quartz or calcite are common in western Illinois within a 70 mile radius of the towns of Warsaw, Hamilton, and Nauvoo. Up to 20 different minerals can be found in the hollow rocks. Visit the Illinois Geological Survey at: http://www.isgs.uiuc.edu/maps-data-pub/publications/geobits/geobit3.shtml | How to get there: Search creeks, road cuts in the area around Hamilton. or visit : Jacobs Geode Shop & Mine 823 East County Rd 1220 • Hamilton, IL. • 217.847.3509 Geodes can be collected for a reasonable fee |
| Grade this location: (A to F): | GPS coordinates: |
| Handy to bring along: 1.Bucket 2.Hand tools 3.Rock hammer | Helpful notes to newcomers: Chose the lighter geodes by comparing similar size spheres. The heavy spheres are more than likely solid. |
| Location #3: American Fluorite Museum General description: A surprise awaits the rockhound in Rosiclare. The American Fluorite Museum has a world class collection of fluorite minerals. | How to get there: The American Fluorite Museum Main Street P.O. Box 755 Rosiclare, Illinois 62982 618-285-3513 |
| Grade this location: (A to F): | GPS coordinates: |
| Handy to bring along: 1. camera 2. 3. | Helpful notes to newcomers: If you would like to dig your our fluorite specimens visit the Ben E Clements Museum across the Ohio River to Marion, Kentucky. (see Kentucky -National Directory) |
| Location #4: (Local beach, park, etc) General description: | How to get there: |
| Grade this location: (A to F): | GPS coordinates: |
| Handy to bring along: 1. 2. 3. | Helpful notes to newcomers: |
| Location #5: (Local beach, park, etc) General description: | How to get there: |
| Grade this location: (A to F): | GPS coordinates: |
| Handy to bring along: 1. 2. 3. | Helpful notes to newcomers: |
| VIDEO FROM THIS AREA Upload a YouTube or Google video of geocaching or treasuring hunting excursions from this area. |
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| PHOTOS FROM THIS AREA Upload pictures of your geocaching or treasuring hunting excursions from this area. |
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