A Look at the History, Economics and Geology of Our Region

1. Frederick County, Maryland A Look at the History, Economics and Geology of Our Region Created by Brett Querry, 2002

2. Welcome…… Rocko is lost! He’s taken off on a journey through the county to collect rock and mineral samples for a rock garden at the Earth and Space Science Lab. However, he forgot his map and he keeps getting lost! Your job is to use clues he’s left behind to find out where they are and what rock or mineral sample he has. Luckily, he’s been able to leave a series of clues to help you identify his location in Frederick County. You’ll need to research the rocks, minerals, economics and history of Frederick County to find his location! Good Luck!

3. How to Navigate this Program When you see this map, click on it to return to the appropriate map. Anytime you see this icon, you are on a page that informs you about the ECONOMICS of the region. Anytime you see this icon, you are on a page that informs you about the ROCKS AND MINERALS of Frederick County. Anytime you see this icon, you are on a page that informs you about the HISTORY of the region. When you see this button, click on it to return to the previous slide. When you see this button, click on it to go to the next slide.

4. Rocks and Minerals of Frederick County Home slide This is the HOME slide. Click on an icon to link to information Click here to go to School Location Maps ECONOMICS of the Regions of Frederick County HISTORY of the Regions of Frederick County

5. Regions of Frederick County History map Triassic Uplands Note: The Catoctin Mountain Region is geologically known as the Appalachian Province and the combination of the Triassic Uplands, Piedmont Uplands and Frederick Valley Regions is geologically known as the Piedmont Province. Piedmont Uplands Catoctin Mountain HISTORY Frederick Valley Click on a region to learn about its history.

6. Regions of Frederick County Economics map Note: The Catoctin Mountain Region is geologically known as the Appalachian Province and the combination of the Triassic Uplands, Piedmont Uplands and Frederick Valley Regions is geologically known as the Piedmont Province. Triassic Uplands Piedmont Uplands Catoctin Mountain ECONOMICS Frederick Valley Click on a region to learn about its economy.

7. History of the Triassic Uplands Region Back to History Map • Dinosaurs once lived here! Although we can’t dig up dinosaur bones here, there have been scientists who have found footprints that dinosaurs left behind. These footprints have been fossilized over time, proving that our county was once home to the great reptiles of Earth’s past. • This region is also known as the “Redlands”due to the large amount of red rocks like shale and sandstone found here.

8. History of the Piedmont Uplands Region Back to History Map • This region was once home to at least three known copper mines: the Dolly Hyde mine, New London mine and the Liberty Mine. The last of these mines closed in 1914, before WWI. The copper that was found here was poor quality and was too much work for people to actually be able to use it.

9. History of the Piedmont Uplands Region – Sugarloaf Mountain Back to History Map • Sugarloaf Mountain is located in the southern part of the Piedmont Region. If you look at this mountain from a distance, you’ll notice that it stands alone. The top of this mountain is made mostly of quartzite, due to its hardness and ability to withstand weathering. This mountain was once valued for its’ wood lots. Farmers used to come here and cut down trees which would then be used for firewood. This worked until coal became more common as a fuel. • In 1902, Gordon Strong found this mountain while on a bike trip. He spent the next 50 years buying pieces of land on the mountain that today make up a privately owned park.

10. Piedmont Uplands History – The Monocacy Aqueduct Back to History Map • A short distance away from Sugarloaf Mountain is the Monocacy Aqueduct. This aqueduct (water-channel) was built so the C&O Canal could cross the Monocacy River. It is constructed mostly of quartzite brought down from Sugarloaf Mountain. In 1972 the Potomac River flooded and severely damaged the aqueduct, which now is supported by a number of iron beams.

11. Piedmont Uplands History – Civil War Back to History Map • Confederate and Union forces occupied Sugarloaf Mountain in 1862 and 1863. The Union and Confederacy fought over the mountain so it could be used as a signal station during the Civil War.

12. History of the Frederick Valley Back to History Map The Potomac River flows along the southern border of the Frederick Valley. Directly beside the Potomac is the C&O Canal. Construction of the canal began on July 4, 1828 and was intended to run to the Ohio River, over 300 miles away. When looking at bridges along the C&O you’ll notice rocks like quartzite and limestone were used to create the structure. In the end, the canal only stretched for 189 miles from Washington D.C. to Cumberland, MD due to competition: the railroad. The railroad was faster and cheaper to use. Companies could transport coal, timber and other natural resources more quickly and easily.

13. History of the Frederick Valley- Carroll’s Mill Back to History Map • Once located in the Frederick Valley was Carroll’s Mill, owned by the famous Marylander, Charles Carroll. The mill was one of many created by Carroll during the 1700’s. He helped to turn Frederick County into a land of many farms. He encouraged the residents of the county to grow wheat and grains that could be turned into flour which further led to Frederick County having a great agricultural past.

14. History of the Frederick Valley - Glass Back to History Map • In 1785 the Amelung Glass Company become the first manufacturer of glassworks in the United States.

15. History of the Catoctin Mountain Region Back to History Map • The Catoctin Furnace is one of the most well known landmarks in Frederick County. Started by James and Thomas Johnson (the first governor of Maryland) in 1774, it became a major producer of ironworks, such as cannonballs. This furnace was used to make cannonballs and musket balls for the Continental Army at the Battle of Yorktown.

16. History of the Catoctin Mountain Region - The Catoctin Furnace Back to History Map • Wood was needed to heat the furnace. This resulted in clear-cutting of the trees about every 35 years. Although the mountains are covered with trees now, they used to be nearly bare. • After 129 years in operation, the Catoctin Furnace shut down in 1903.

17. Economics of the Triassic Uplands Region Back to Economics Map • Redland Brick Inc. (Rocky Ridge Plant) is located in this region.

18. Economics of the Triassic Uplands Region – Redland Brick Inc. Back to Economics Map • Each year, Redland Brick Inc. (the Rocky Ridge Plant) extracts 35,000 tons of shale (that’s 70 million pounds of rock!) to be used for bricks. You may see these bricks used to build houses and many other buildings.

19. Economics of the Triassic Uplands Region – Redland Brick Inc. Back to Economics Map • This plant employs 43 people who perform a variety of jobs. Some jobs may include operating equipment such as bulldozers, scrapers and mechanical shovels (these tools are needed to extract the shale from the ground). Crushers are used to break the shale into small pieces. A kiln is later used to “bake” the bricks to make them solid.

20. Economics of the Frederick Valley Back to Economics Map • When you travel to the southern border of the valley, you will encounter the C&O Canal. • Construction began on the canal in 1828. • In order for the canal to be built, many individuals were needed – stone cutters, masons, carpenters, as well as many other tradesmen and laborers. As the canal followed the Potomac River north towards Cumberland, MD, there were few people to work. There were not many residents in this rural area and workers were hard to find.

21. Economics of the Frederick Valley- C&O Canal Back to Economics Map • The company which built the canal faced many problems. For example: lumber, stone, and lime (needed to make cement) were all scarce. Without the proper materials, the canal could not be built. • When it was completed, the total cost to build the canal was 22 million dollars. Half of the cost came from changes in the canal and repairing damage caused by the Potomac River.

22. Economics of the Frederick Valley- Limestone Back to Economics Map • Due to the abundant amount of limestone in the area, many large businesses such as Lafarge and Essroc have taken tons of rock from their rock quarries and created products like cement and crushed stone. • Lime was also a valuable resource taken from limestone quarries. It was used by farmers to help the soil so crops could grow better.

23. Economics of Frederick Valley - Railroad Back to Economics Map • The railroad eventually beat out the canal in the 1800’s. It proved to be a faster and cheaper way to transport goods back and forth from the Washington D.C. area to the Ohio Valley. Today, the railroad is still used as a means to transport goods throughout Frederick County, Maryland as well as the rest of the country.

24. Economics of the Catoctin Mountain Region Back to Economics Map • The most significant historical business in this region was the Catoctin Furnace. • The furnace produced iron goods such as ammunition and tools needed for people to survive. • Many individuals were needed to make the furnace work: - minerswere needed to extract the limonite from the ground - colliers prepared the charcoal to be burned in the furnace - fillerscharged the furnace to keep it running - founders casted the iron taken from the limonite - blacksmiths were needed to forge the steel

25. Economics of the Catoctin Mountain Region - The Catoctin Furnace Back to Economics Map • Due to all of the people needed to keep the furnace working, a small village was created at the furnace. The village was complete with stables, a foundry, wagon sheds, stores, churches and houses.

26. Economics of the Catoctin Mountain Region – Furnace Continued Back to Economics Map • The furnace could not keep up with changing technology. When new furnaces were built, they were outdated before they were even used. The company could not keep up with the changing technology of the time and as a result, the furnace closed in 1903.

27. Economics of the Catoctin Mountain Region – Gold Mine Back to Economics Map • A gold mine was found in this region! It was worked as recently as 1975. Very little gold was found here so the mine is vacant today.

28. Economics of the Piedmont Uplands Region Back to Economics Map • Copper miners were once came to this region. Miners probably came here in hopes of making fortunes by mining, processing, and selling the copper. • The copper mines could not function for a long period of time. The copper that was extracted from the ground was poor in quality. Also, there wasn’t enough copper in the ground for large businesses to effectively use it.

29. Economics of the Piedmont Uplands Region- Copper Back to Economics Map • The copper mines could not function for a long period of time. The copper that was extracted from the ground was poor in quality. Also, there wasn’t enough copper in the ground for large businesses to effectively use it.

30. Rocks and Minerals of Frederick County Rocks and Minerals of Frederick County Rocks and Minerals of Frederick County Click on a sample below to learn more about it.

31. Conglomerate This sedimentary rock is also known as Potomac Marble. It was used to make pillars in the Capitol building in Washington D.C. Also, it is made up of various materials like sandstone, calcite and limestone. conglomerate Back to Rocks and Minerals of Frederick County

32. Calcite A white mineral found in Frederick County, it often feels very smooth to the touch. It breaks very easily and is known as a softer mineral when compared to quartz. Stalagmites and stalactites found in caves are made of calcite. calcite Back to Rocks and Minerals of Frederick County

33. Limonite is a brown colored mineral that often appears to be rusting. This rust appearance is due to all of the iron that it contains. Only about 70% of this mineral is iron, while other materials make up the other 30% It can be used to make a variety of iron products. Limonite limonite Back to Rocks and Minerals of Frederick County

34. Diabase This greenish-tan sample is an igneous rock known as diabase. It can often be identified by it’s texture and is found near Rocky Ridge. Also, it can be crushed and used as gravel. diabase Back to Rocks and Minerals of Frederick County

35. Limestone Limestone is perhaps one of the most useful rocks in Frederick County. It is quarried in a variety of locations and can be used in cement, gravel and roads. Tombstones used to be made out of limestone, but because it weathered away so easily, many people stopped using it for this purpose. limestone Back to Rocks and Minerals of Frederick County

36. This metamorphic rock can be used to make shingles and tennis courts. It is metamorphic and is named greenstone because it usually appears green in color. Greenstone greenstone Back to Rocks and Minerals of Frederick County

37. Hornfels Hornfels is a metamorphic rock found around Rocky Ridge and is grayish black in color. ________ Back to Rocks and Minerals of Frederick County

38. Quartz This very white mineral can be used in making glass. It also is used in watches to help tell time. Although the sample to the left is very white, notice the brown color at the bottom. It can appear white, pink and brown as well. quartz Back to Rocks and Minerals of Frederick County

39. Rhyolite Also known as aporhyolite, this metamorphic rock usually breaks and leaves sharp edges. It may even be used to make some surgical tools due to it’s sharp edges! It often appears to be a dark gray-blue color. rhyolite Back to Rocks and Minerals of Frederick County

40. sandstone Sandstone is a reddish-brown color and has a very grainy texture. This reddish color is due to the iron deposits found in the sand. You can tell that it is a sedimentary rock because of all the fine pieces of sand. sandstone Back to Rocks and Minerals of Frederick County

41. Originally a sea-bottom sandstone, it transformed (or metamorphosed) into quartzite, a very hard metamorphic rock. This rock is so hard that it is often found at the tops of mountain ridges in Frederick County because it can withstand weathering. It is usually grayish-white in color and you can often see its’ crystals . quartzite quartzite Back to Rocks and Minerals of Frederick County

42. Shale shale This sedimentary rock can be found at Rocky Ridge. It is red in color and known as “Gettysburg Shale”. This rock’s red color may be familiar because it is used to make bricks. shale Back to Rocks and Minerals of Frederick County

43. Schools of the Piedmont Region 4. Deer Crossing 7. Green Valley 9. Kemptown 11. Liberty 15. New Market 18. Oakdale 23. Spring Ridge 26. Twin Ridge 27. Urbana 33. Woodsboro Piedmont School Map Piedmont Uplands N next map

44. Triassic School location Map Schools of the Triassic Region 5. Emmitsburg 10. Lewistown 16. New Midway 24. Thurmont 25. Thurmont Primary Triassic Uplands N next map previous map

45. Catoctin Mountain Catoctin School Map Schools of the Catoctin Mountain Region 2. Brunswick 12. Middletown 14. Myersville 21. Sabillasville 28. Valley 31. Whittier Elementary 32. Wolfsville 34. Yellow Springs N previous map next map

46. Schools of the Frederick Valley Region 1. Ballenger Creek 3. Carroll Manor 6. Glade 8. Hillcrest 13. Monocacy 17. North Frederick 19. Orchard Grove 20. Parkway 22. South Frederick 29. Walkersville 30. Waverley Frederick Valley Frederick Valley School Location Map N Frederick Valley previous map