Southern Illinois Earth Science Club Rock / Mineral / Fossil Show

[Nimravis]

While driving thru Marion, Illinois ( 5 1/2 hours South of Chicago) I decided to stop for 1 hour at the Southern Illinois Earth Science Club Show that is going on today and tomorrow.

 

I have never been to this show and I was pleasantly surprised by it. It was a great show that had a lot of people that showed up. This show had a Kids Corner, Flint Knapping, Sifting for Minerals, Demonstrations and Exhibits.

 

There was a wide range of items for sale at good prices. If you ever have a chance to be in Southern Illinois during April, check to see if this show is going and stop by, you won’t be disappointed.

 

Below are pics of the show and some of the items that were being sold.

 

I do have to mention an exhibit of Pennsylvanian Plants from Carterville, Illinois shaft mines. I have to say that they are some of the prettiest ferns that I have ever seen, in my opinion, better than the ones found at Mazon Creek.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

You're right about those ferns. 

They are stunning! 

[Nimravis]

[Nimravis]

[Nimravis]

[Tidgy's Dad]

Thanks for posting this. 

Some of those prices are pretty good ! !

[Fruitbat]

Looks like a heck of a show!  Thanks for sharing it with us!

 

-Joe

[Peat Burns]

Wow!  Those ferns 

 

And you're right about the great prices. 

 

That's one odd looking Knightia 

 

Thanks for sharing all those great pics.

[caldigger]

18 minutes ago, Peat Burns said:

That's one odd looking Knightia 

A bit of artistic license I suspect.

 

This looks like the kind of show you can build a fairly decent collection for under $100.  Thanks for taking us along to the show Ralph, lots of great photos as always.

[ynot]

Wonderful tour!

Love the plant display.

Lots of nice fossils too.

Thanks for sharing.

[Raggedy Man]

Those ferns.....WOW

[smt126]

Those are some amazing mazon creek fossils. I doubt you could find even a 10th of those these days

[Nimravis]

3 minutes ago, smt126 said:

Those are some amazing mazon creek fossils. I doubt you could find even a 10th of those these days

They are not Mazon Creek, they are from Carterville, Illinois- and they are amazing.

[smt126]

11 minutes ago, Nimravis said:

They are not Mazon Creek, they are from Carterville, Illinois- and they are amazing.

 

Guess I should have read more carefully. I was distracted over here. It would be fun to dig through those spoil piles too though I'm guessing there's not much of those either. I guess I've got some new reading to do. 

 

On a separate note have you heard any news about the fossil campground in wilmington? I still haven't seen anything in regards to it opening up online.

[Nimravis]

7 hours ago, smt126 said:

 

Guess I should have read more carefully. I was distracted over here. It would be fun to dig through those spoil piles too though I'm guessing there's not much of those either. I guess I've got some new reading to do. 

 

On a separate note have you heard any news about the fossil campground in wilmington? I still haven't seen anything in regards to it opening up online.

I have not heard anything and think it is still closed. On a side note, I never heard of the Carterville location and was surprised when I saw those ferns.

[RCFossils]

Another great report!

I have always liked the Carterville material.

I have some nice pieces from that site including a few rare insects.

[Nimravis]

6 hours ago, RCFossils said:

Another great report!

I have always liked the Carterville material.

I have some nice pieces from that site including a few rare insects.

Nice- I wish I had know about this place.

[deutscheben]

Thank you for the report! I have read about the Pennsylvanian deposits from Southern Illinois, but never seen such good photos of the fossils. I also have not found any recent information about whether it is still possible to collect from any of the remaining spoil piles (if there still are any left).

[Nimravis]

8 minutes ago, deutscheben said:

Thank you for the report! I have read about the Pennsylvanian deposits from Southern Illinois, but never seen such good photos of the fossils. I also have not found any recent information about whether it is still possible to collect from any of the remaining spoil piles (if there still are any left).

I was hoping to talk to the person that collected them to ask him questions and also to see if you can still collect them, but I only had a short time to stay and he had not arrived by the time I left.

[MeargleSchmeargl]

On 4/16/2018 at 1:04 AM, Nimravis said:

Carterville, Illinois- and they are amazing.

Straight to the bucket list! Really need some of those veggies!

[Malone]

Thank you for posting this!

[Nimravis]

@Mark Kmiecik Mark check out these ferns at the beginning of my post.

[Mark Kmiecik]

11 minutes ago, Nimravis said:

@Mark Kmiecik Mark check out these ferns at the beginning of my post.

@Nimravis That material has to be from the 50's and 60's. I could have collected in the 60's and 70's but didn't know it was there. Started in the late 80's, 1988 I believe. Worked hard for what I collected. Didn't know about ESCONI or anyone who collected until about '95. Could have been there for the sweet stuff but missed the boat.

[stats]

The Cartersville fossils are awesome!  Were there any for sale?  Are there places to collect?  I think there are a few reclaimed mines like Pit 11 in the south.  Wouldn't mind visiting one.

 

Cheers,

Rich

 

[Nimravis]

2 hours ago, stats said:

The Cartersville fossils are awesome!  Were there any for sale?  Are there places to collect?  I think there are a few reclaimed mines like Pit 11 in the south.  Wouldn't mind visiting one.

 

Cheers,

Rich

 

Rich there was nothing for sale from Cartersville and those fossils belonged to one individual who was not there at the time. I do not know if there is anywhere to collect. I also would like to collect there, but doubt if any concretions like those are still around.