Trammel Fossil Park, Ohio

[Italo40]

Hello everybody!

This summer I had the pleasure to collect fossils in a few famous Ohio localites. I want to start with the first that I visited, the Trammel Fossil Park in Sharonville (Butler and Hamilton counties). The park is a 10 acres fossil-rich hillside and woodland area, that was donated to the city by a local developer. Ordovician rokcs crop out and they are very productive! Collecting is free for everybody, tools can be used, but you are not supposed to remove large boulders of rock. The space in front is equipped with tables, benches and boards that explain the geology and faunal assemblage of the site. 

Here, 4 formations are exposed: Fairview, Miamitown, Corryville and Bellevue, that date back to the Late Ordovician. The most abundant fossils are a few different species of brachiopods and bryozoans. Less likey you can find crinoids, gastropods and, for the Miamitown section, even Edrioasteroids. I'll let the boards explain more specifically.

 

Let's talk about the actual collecting! Picking by hand is the preferable method, for bryozoans lie on the ground or they can be easily freed from the rock. Brachiopods are usually broken and less easily removable, but you can find some remarkable specimen too!

 

Overall, I was more than satisfied! I filled a small box with the best preserved fossils and had a nice chat with a fellow fossil hunter! Trammel is definetely a family-friendly location, easily accessible and risk-free. Findings and fun are guaranteed!!

I'll add the pics of my finds later on in another post, wait for it

[FranzBernhard]

58 minutes ago, Italo40 said:

The park is a 10 acres fossil-rich hillside and woodland area, that was donated to the city by a local developer.

Incredible!!!

Thanks for sharing!

Franz Bernhard

[Nimravis]

Very nice write up, I have heard about it but never visited.

[FossilNerd]

Thanks for sharing! Looks like I might have to take the family on a quick overnight trip.  

[digit]

Thanks for the trip report. Hopefully, this will encourage some members to make the trip and experience this park for themselves. Public fossil sites tend to dwindle over time as they get closed down for a variety of reasons. Glad to know about one that seems to be going strong.

 

 

Cheers.

 

-Ken

[erose]

Whenever I travel home to Ohio I try and swing by there. In the past I was told it was always "picked over" and not to expect much, but every time I went I found something great.

 

Nice write up and photographs.

 

Thanks a bunch.