The Devonian Silica Shale exposed in the Lafarge quarry in Paulding, Ohio has attracted collectors for decades. The shale is well known for its trilobites [in particular Phacops (Eldregeops)], plus brachipods, horn corals, small blastoids, crinoids, and fish material.
A few of the brachiopods and corals found in the Silica Shale at Paulding, Ohio.
Enrolled Phacops trilobites from the Silica Shale at Paulding, Ohio.
While clubs had a long history of obtaining permission to enter and collect, changes in Lafarge policy threatened to close the quarry to collectors permanently. In an effort to prevent that, about 18 months ago, many professional and amateur paleontologists wrote letters urging the quarry to remain open to collecting. I wrote a letter on behalf of the Dry Dredgers to express support for continued collecting opportunities at Lafarge. Due to the overwhelming number of letters, Lafarge decided to construct a fossil park open to the public.
The park is located on the quarry property, but far removed from the mining operations. It is a flat fenced area where Lafarge periodically dumps Silica Shale. It is open 7 days a week to collectors, who simply have to sign in and follow the rules.
I visited the park twice last year and found a total of 3 trilobites: 2 rollers and one prone bug that was exposed ventrally in a large chunk of rock.
Two enrolled Phacops found in the Paulding Fossil Park in 2016.
Prone Phacops found in the Paulding Fossil Park in 2016. (prepared by Ben Cooper)
So, if you are in Northwest Ohio, stop in and check out the fossil park. Good hunting!
Don Bissett
A long-time member of the Dry Dredgers, I’ve been collecting fossils ever since moving to Cincinnati in 1975 to work at P&G. I was introduced to fossil collecting by Bruce Gibson, another Dry Dredger and co-worker at P&G. Shortly after that, I met Dredger Dan Cooper. Both of them taught me a lot about the hobby. Ever since, I’ve been hooked on fossils.
My primary focus is collecting trilobites and echinoderms, though I often find myself accumulating a much wider assortment of fossils. Beyond the collecting hobby, I’ve also had the opportunity to work with professional paleontologists – extremely rewarding experiences. Some of those have been described in Dry Dredger Bulletin articles, MAPS (Mid-American Paleontology Society) articles, and technical publications. I plan to share more about collecting and professional interactions in my blog posts.
Latest posts by Don Bissett (see all)
- Massie Shale Calymene - January 4, 2021
- Mississippian starfish - November 13, 2020
- Walcott-Rust Starfish - October 25, 2020
- Spathacalymene - September 20, 2020
- Penn Dixie Dig with the Experts 2018 - May 27, 2018
I finally made the trip to this Fossil Park on July 1, 2017. Found bits and pieces of fossils. I am assuming the extremely fragile matter that we were finding the fossils in, is shale? We got there late in the day, very hot! But we bought a bucket full home. Have not had time to try to clean anything. Really afraid to, every really cool fossil we found, would shatter when trying to get it out of the shale. I wondered how often they do a fresh dump. Might try to go back some day. Cindy & Harold from Seneca County Ohio