Lannon Stone: Dolomite
Unearthed
As this is an EarthCache there is NO container.
To claim this as a find you will need to complete the tasks
outlined below. Failure to complete the tasks may result in the
deletion of your log without notice.
While there are some places where the Niagara Escarpment can be
seen above ground (such as at
BRADY'S ROCK ), there are many more places where the Niagara
Dolomite (limestone) is buried under dozens of feet of soil. The
Sussex / Lannon area is geologically unusual due to the high
quality of the limestone which is located there as well as the fact
that the limestone is just below the surface making it easy to
mine. As the layers of Dolomitic limestone are so easily obtained
here, quarrying has been a large part of this areas history.
-Ancient
History-
|
Niagara Dolomite (limestone) forms a
prominent land-form in eastern Wisconsin. When exposed to the
surface an escarpment can be seen. In Lannon the Dolomite
formations are close to the surface. The picture above depicts the
Dolomite deposit during the Silurian
Age. |
The origin of the limestone found in Lannon dates
back to the Silurian Period of the Paleozoic Era when a warm
shallow sea existed here. More than 400 million years ago Dolomite
was formed from accumulated sediments of the ancient sea. These
sediments are made up of calcium and magnesium carbonate which came
from the decomposing algae, shells and skeletons of primitive sea
life.
Fossils abundant in the limestone include
brachiopods, cephalopods, crinoids, and corals. These fossils
represent creatures that lived in the sea and helped to create the
materials that made up the stone. Over time these sediments
gathered into a limey mud that would years later become the
hardened limestone we see today.
-Quality of Lannon
Stone-
Lannon limestone is considered to be one of the
strongest and most dense limestone's in North America. As you can
see from the table below, the properties of Lannon's limestone far
exceed the ASTM standards* for limestone building materials.
*ASTM International is one of the largest
voluntary standards development organizations in the world, and is
a trusted source for technical standards for materials, products,
systems, and services.
Property
Value |
ASTM
Std |
Density 171.0 lbs/cu
ft |
160 lbs/cu
ft |
Compressive Strength 30,000
psi |
8,000 psi |
Modulus of Rupture 3600
psi |
1000 psi |
Water Absorption
0.95% |
3.0% |
Abrasion Resistance 25.0
hardness |
10
hardness |
Flexural Strength
3,200 |
no
standard |
Properties of Lannon's limestone
To help you understand the real strength of
Lannon's limestone, the table below shows how it is categorized
according to density quality. Keep in mind that Lannon Stone can
have a density of 171.0 lbs/cu ft
Product
Quality |
Property
Values |
LOW DENSITY |
Limestone having a density
ranging from 110 through 135/lb/ft3 (1760 through 2160
kg/m3) |
MEDIUM DENSITY |
Limestone having a density
greater that 135 and not greater than 160 lb/ft3 (2160 through 2560
kg/m3) |
HIGH DENSITY |
Limestone having a density
greater than 160 lb/ft3 (2560 kg/m3) |
-Recorded
History-
Lannon excavation
When Lannon was first settled by Europeans in the
1830's, it became clear immediately that the easily found stone
slabs could be dug up and used for construction of buildings and
roads. By 1838 the stone was already being bought and sold as a
consumer good. In 1855 there were at least a dozen quarries
shipping stone out the Lannon area, and by 1959 there were more
than thirty stone companies located near this rich source of high
quality stone.
At one time stone provided a livelihood, in one
way or another for almost everyone in the village of Lannon. Now
less than 20 percent of the population depends on stone for a job.
Today there are few (albeit very large) mining companies left in
the area.
In addition to being easily mined, the
limestone's extremely high quality, makes it a much sought after
stone. "Lannon Stone" as it would eventually be uniquely named, is
among the hardest and most versatile varieties of limestone
available. The crushed lime is still among the whitest and
strongest on the market and throughout history it has been in high
demand regardless of cost.
Normally used in landscaping and for building, it
is interesting to note that beginning in 1881 until it's completion
in 1930, the Milwaukee Breakwater was built from stone mined in
Lannon. While stone is generally thought of as a construction
material, crushed lime is also used by farmers to neutralize acidic
soil which helps improve soil quality and crop yield.
Considering the strength and durability of Lannon
limestone it should come to no surprise that it is one of the most
sought after forms of limestone by builders throughout the
world.
Located at the listed waypoint is St. John's,
Lutheran church. Lead Pastor, Gary Koschnitzke has graciously
allowed us to visit the church so that we may get a look at the
stonework on the exterior of the building. Please be respectful
during your visit. Church services are Saturdays at 5:30pm, Sunday
at 8:00 & 10:30am and Mondays at 7:00pm so please try to visit
outside of those times.
There are two
requirements that MUST be fulfilled in order to log this cache as a
find:
You must complete #1 below
AND either #2 or #3
#1
At St. John's Lutheran Church you must answer the following
questions:
(DO NOT POST ANSWERS IN YOUR LOG; EMAIL THEM TO ME)
a.) What color is the
stone / is the color uniform?
b.) Describe the stone's texture; is it smooth, rough,
pitted...?
c.) Does the stone appear to be eroding?
#2
Post a picture of yourself with your GPS (or your GPS alone) in
front of a structure made from Lannon Stone.
The picture cannot be of the church and must meet both of the
below requirements:
a.) This structure must
be located within 5 miles of the posted coordinates.
b.) The photo must be of a stone wall, home or a place of
business.
(Please stay off of
private property and use due caution when taking
pictures.)
*** OR
***
#3 If you would
like to take pictures of a quarry or the Lannon stone in its
natural state, I will allow those to be taken and I highly
recommend your doing so at Menomonee Park. This park is an
exceptional place to take photos, and is a superb example of an old
Lannon stone quarry. Menomonee Park, once known as Stone City, was
mined extensively in the late 1800's. Coordinates for the park
entrance are at N43 09.634 W88 11.009. There is a fee to enter this
county park. Park Hours are Sunrise to 10 p.m.
year-round.
A few words about the picture
requirement:
Please make an attempt to capture
a unique picture and not just the nearest Lannon Stone building.
The purpose of taking the picture is so that you are able to see
exactly what kind of impact the quarrying of this stone has made in
the area in terms of both construction and commerce. With so many
buildings to choose from please explore a bit and find just the
right one.
References:
http://www.slahs.org/history/local/lannon/history/stone_quarry.htm
http://www.lawnproducts.com/stoneusa/stoneusaintro.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niagara_Escarpment