White Stone of Bowling Green
Oolitic Limestone is named such because it is made up of oolites, or small round particles that look like fish eggs. Oolites are usually formed by layers of material (usually calcite) which is deposited around a tiny particle, like a grain of sand or fossil fragment or even algae (think the creation of a pearl). The photos below show first a magnified piece of oolitic rock and second a finished exterior of oolitic limestone.
The oolitic limestone in the area of Bowling Green is overlain by hard bluish limestone. The oolitic rock here has been found westward near Russellville and Elkton and northward across the Barren River.
One of the first companies to begin mining in the Bowling Green area (near Memphis Junction) was the Bowling Green White Quarry Company. The oolitic limestone there was mostly mined in the 1870's thru 1930's.
The oolitic limestone from the Bowling Green area became highly prized due to its appearance and workability. The freshly mined stone was buff gray or darker, and was soft and easily cut into ornate fashions. After exposure to the air and sun, the elements bleached it to a very light gray or even white and it developed to an extraordinary hardness. The "Bowling Green Stone" as trademarked by White Stone Quarry Company won awards at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, the 1893 Columbian Exposition, and the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition.
Before the construction of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, the stone was transported by mules as far away as Nashville TN. The corner posts and gate pillars around the Tennessee State Capitol Building were construction from the Bowling Green ooletic limestone, as well as the US Post Office, Custom House, and the Carnegie Library in Nashville. Other distant buildings also constructed of the Bowling Green Stone were the US Post Office in Columbia TN, Custom House in Mobile AL, a private home in each Philadelphia PA and in Washington DC, the St Thomas Cathedral in New York City, and the Governor's Mansion in Frankfort KY.
Locally, the Federal Building, columns from Van Meter Hall and Kentucky Museum, the Helm Library, and the Louisville and Nashville Train Depot used the local oolitic limestone in their construction. The photos below are of the Helm Library and the L & N Train Depot.
The posted coordinates are for the L&N Train Depot. Please message the cache owner the answers to the following questions (DO NOT include your answers in your "Found" log, or your log will have to be deleted):
1. What color would you say the stone of the L & N Train Depot appears to be today?
2. Can you see the "fish egg" appearance in the stone?
3. Can you see any obvious signs of wear or deterioration of the stone on the building after about 80 years of being built? If so, please describe.
While it is not a requirement, photos of your visit are encouraged!
Many thanks to Sharon Tabor of the L & N Train Depot for allowing this Earthcache and for her support of geocaching!
*** Thank you to Adventuretrekker and Sundwonder for letting me know that there is a benchmark disc to be discovered near this location. The description is that it is in a round concrete monument.***
