Last Update: 11/10/08

Location:

Fossil Park; Sylvania, Lucas Co., OH

~ 370 - 400 Million Years Old
Middle Devonian
Silica Formation

View of the collecting area

"This shows fossil hunters hunting in the Hanson quarry. This quarry is now closed to collectors. As one can see, the Silica formation is nicely exposed."




Searching for fossils

"This is a quarry at Paulding. Amy is searching the Silica shale for Devonian fossils."



Searching for fossils

"Brachiopods are by far the most common fossil. They come in many different shapes and sizes."





View a sample of my fossils found in the silica formation


About the Silica formation:

In the middle Devonian, a vast sea covered Ohio. The sea floor was very muddy, creating a remarkable place for fossilization to occur. The Silica Formation in northwest Ohio represents this marine environment from the middle Devonian; it leaves a well-preserved and abundant fossil record. The preservation of these Devonian fossils are among the best in the world. In this formation, one can find the abundant remains of corals, brachiopods, echinoderms, and trilobites. These exquisitely preserved fossils are found in soft, gray shale, and quickly weather free from matrix.

The Silica formation is only accessible through quarries in the area. Access to these quarries is restricted, however, the Hanson quarry provides spoil from the Silica formation for a Fossil Park in the area, where people are welcomed to collect.

Collecting site:


Fossil Park

Fossil Park
My camera batteries died when I got to the park. This pic was taken by Roy of Times Scientific.

  • A few employees of the Hanson Quarry came up with an idea to allow the public access to these famous Devonian collecting grounds. They came up with an idea that eventually became Fossil Park!
  • Fossil Park is open to the public.
    In the park, truckloads of Silica Shale from nearby quarries are dumped into a few large areas, where the public can simply hand split the shale, and find the same fossils one can find in the quarries.
  • The park phas two dig sites and a trail around the quarry. It is also staffed with knowledgable people that will help identify your finds.
  • I personally have not collected here. However, by the looks of things, families were finding lots of fossils, mainly brachiopods and corals.
  • Currently no tools are allowed to split the shale.

    Location:
    Fossil Park is located in an abandoned mine in Sylvania, OH. It is on the west side of Centennial Road in Sylvania, which is just north-west of Toledo.

    The direcitons sound a bit long, but they are easy to follow. From the Ohio Turnpike, take exit 59, the Maumee/U.S. 20 exit. Follow signs to U.S. 23/Ann Arbor. Go south on U.S. 20 to Dussel Rd. Turn west onto Dussel Road. Follow that road to U.S. 23. Take U.S. 23 north to Central Ave. Make a right (west) onto McCord Rd. Stay on McCord road for about 1 mile north and turn left (west) onto Sylvania Rd. Follow Sylvania Road for about 2 miles to Centennial Road. Turn right (north) for a little under 2 miles on Centennial Road, and you should see a sign marking the park.

    The park is open weekends from Memorial day until October 22nd.

    Read the fossil park entrance sign for more information.


    Click here to read about the creation of fossil park, by Jeff Stoll

    Here is a link to the Olander Park System. It has some info for Fossil Park.

    Recommended Equipment:

  • No equipment is currently allowed in Fossil Park. A box and towels are recommended to store the fossils in.

    Recommended Books:

    Fossils of Ohio
    Feldmann, R. & Hackathorn, M. eds.
    Ohio Division of Geological Survey, Bulletin 70.
    Culombus, OH. 1996

    This book is a must for anyone collecting in Ohio. It has detailed descriptions and images of 100's of fossils one can find throughout Ohio, including the Silica formation. It can be ordered through the Ohio Geological Survey.

    Great Links:

  • Times Scientific, Hanson Quarry section




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