Research • Education • Outreach
“We Look Into the Past”
Jones Geological Services
(717) 887-7103
Email: jonesgeo@comcast.net
Research • Education • Outreach
“We Look Into the Past”
Jones Geological Services
(717) 887-7103
Email: jonesgeo@comcast.net
Gold Locations and Maps from “Gold in southeastern Pennsylvania”
Publication authored by Jeri Jones and Donald Schmerling, 2002
“Gold in Southeastern Pennsylvania” was originally published by Martrix
Publishing, Dillsburg, PA in 2002. The book was sold out rapidly and with the
passing of its owner, nationally acclaimed mineral collector Jay Lininger, the book
was not able to be reprinted. We are making the locality descriptions and
geologic maps of the areas available in this e-book. It is hoped a new collectors
guide to panning for gold in southeastern Pennsylvania will be made available in
the future. Please be reminded that printing this information and making it
available to you does not grant you permission to access these sites without the permission of the property owner. Several good sites are now unavailable due to prospectors trespassing onto property without permission.
Jeri Jones and Donald Schmerling were members of a small group of
Pennsylvania mineral collectors who became curious in the early 1970’s about the
possibility of having gold in the Keystone state. After some research into
historical literature, the group began their journey of discovering (or rediscovering)
gold sites in Adams, York and Lancaster counties. It is unlikely that a
“mothers load” exists with these counties to make it economically valuable. This
type of prospecting is what we today call “recreational panning”. Also correlating
the location of the gold to the geology is also important.
A 51-page spiral-bound book that describes the amazing geology between Columbia and Falmouth, a distance of 14 miles. Along the trail, there are 26 stops and numerous Points of Interests that highlight the geology. Stops include rock types, folding and faulting, evolution of the Susquehanna River, floodplain development, terrace deposits, quarrying and iron furnace history and geologic history. Numerous colored plates and maps are also included.
Chickies Rock, Point of Rock tunnel, White Cliffs of Conoy, Conewago Canal remains and rock sculpturing at Falmouth are just some of the highlighted stops. Every rock has a story to tell its story which is related in the book.
Many thanks to the sponsors: Susquehanna National Heritage Area and Rivertownes PA USA. The book was designed and laid out by Demi Stevens of Year of the Book, Glen Rock, PA.
To obtain your copy of the book, send a check or money order in the amount of $20.00 which covers the book cost, tax and shipping to Jeri Jones, Jones Geological Services, 2223 Stoverstown Road, Spring Grove, PA 17362. Please make checks payable to Jeri Jones.
The book is also available at the Columbia Crossings Visitors Center in Columbia (trailhead) and the Musselman-Vesta Iron Furnace Center along the trail south of Marietta.
If you ever walked through the woods or around the neighborhood, picked up an interesting looking rock and wondered how it got there, you may want to purchase a copy of a newly released book “TimeWalk – A Journey through Time in Adams, Lancaster and York Counties, Pennsylvania.” Authored by Jeri Jones of Jones Geological Services in Spring Grove with illustrations by Tenna Byerts of Dover, the book is written for the novice reader. The 120-page book starts out with introducing some geologic principles that are needed throughout the book. Then, the reader starts to be introduced to the local landscapes and geology. Throughout the geologic history chapters, the reader will learn much about our landscape and the numerous events that took place here over the past one billion years. Rocks in the three-county area represent two continental collisions and breakups; an ocean and beach environment; a chain of volcanic islands off of the coast of ancient North America and severe erosion and weathering including the Ice Age. Interestingly, at one time, southeastern Pennsylvania just about became a part of northwestern Africa.
A chapter is dedicated to the many fossils found in the area including dinosaur foot prints, trilobites, petrified wood and shells. Because the area also contains valuable mineral resources, a section is presented describing key quarries, mines and mineral specimens. Because geology affects everyone, a chapter on geologic hazards in our area is included. Topics included in this chapter are earthquakes, radon, sinkholes and caves and groundwater.
What makes Timewalk interesting, however, is the listing of “Where Can I See These Rocks” sites at the end of each chapter. For example, if one wants to go out and touch rocks that once formed as volcanoes may travel to Carbaugh Reservoir in Adams County; Accomac, York County or along Fishing Creek in Lancaster County. All locations described include latitude and longitude coordinates and a photograph.
For those readers requesting additional information, a comprehensive list of references is found at the end of the book
In the story, Isabella, age 15 and her friend Trent, age 12, go on a 4-day hot air balloon ridge beginning at Lake Erie and finish along the Delaware River south of Philadelphia. During their trip with balloon pilot Ron, the flight takes them on key Pennsylvania geologic sites such as Drakes Oil Well, coal mines, the Appalachian Mountains, Susquehanna River and its water gaps, Cornwall Iron Mine, Gettysburg National Military Park, Codorus State Park, the Barrens of Chester County among others. The balloon sets down each evening to allow Isabella, Trent and Ron to get some rest and have the balloon serviced for the next day. Each stop provides a small adventure for the three to explore. Discover as you read the book what Time Traveler Glasses are and how they played a part in the learning process of seeing the state from the air. A glossary is included at the end of the book. The book is geared for ages 6 – 11.