As this is an Earthcache, there is no physical container. Answer the quesitons below to log this cache!
The posted coordinates are along the hiking and biking trail at Cheat Lake Park, where you will find a picnic area with several millstones and an information display board. Please use the parking coordinates provided as an additional waypoint on this page.
In 1773, Samuel Ruble constructed the first grist mill in Cheat Neck. By the mid-19th century, numerous river mills were situated along the Cheat River and used primarily for the production of flour and lumber. Both tub mills and overshot mills, which used the river's flow to turn water wheels, were once located in the Cheat Neck area.
Millstones were used in pairs and included a turning runner stone situated above a stationary base stone. In this region, millstones were generally construced of local rock and used to grind grain or pulpwood. The deep grooves in some of the millstones provided a cutting edge that channeled flour or pulp to the outside of the millstone for collection. It is believed the millstones were originally from nearby West Virginia quarries and designed to grind pulp into newsprint at mills throughout the region.
One of the greatest problems faced by the early millers was where and how to obtain suitable millstones. Rocks of exceptional hardness were required.
The Pottsville Formation, a Lower to Middle Pennsylvanian geological formation, is composed of sandstone, shale and coal, and is prominent in the Cheat Lake Park area of West Virginia, with the Pottsville sandstone forming major ridges, including those at Coopers Rock.
The Pottsville Formation is known for its interbedded nature, meaning different types of rock layers are stacked on top of each other.
- Sandstone: A common type of sedimentary rock formed from sand grains that are fine to coarse grained
- Siltstone: A sedimentary rock composed of fine-grained particles, smaller than sand but larger than clay.
- Claystone/Shale: Fine-grained sedimentary rocks formed from clay minerals that are fine grained
- Coal Beds: Layers of fossilized plant matter that can be used as a fuel source consisting of both anthracite and bituminous coal.
- Conglomerate: A sedimentary rock made up of rounded, gravel-sized fragments cemented together, coarse grained
LOGGING REQUIREMENTS
Please complete the tasks and questions below, and send us your answers BEFORE logging this earthcache. After sending answers feel free to log earthcache. If there are any problems with your answers, we will contact you. No group logs will be accepted. Each individual must send in the answers if with a group. No exceptions!
1) Examine one of the millstones located at the picnic area. Describe the color, texture and width of the stone.
2) After examination of the millstone, what type of rock is the millstone composed of (sandstone, shale or granite)? Describe how you came to this conclusion.
3) According to the informational sign at GZ:
a) Millstones in this region were generally construced of local ____________ _______________ rock and used to grind grain or pulpwood.
b) Defects in the millstones resulted in their use as ______ _____________ material and fill for the railroad prior to rising water levels associated with the construction of the Lake Lynn Hydroelectric Station in 1926.
4) Take a photo of yourself (or a personal item) with one of the millstones at the site and post with your log.