STONE
| There is no stone on the prairies in Lyon
County. A farm of a thousand acres may be cultivated without so much
as once touching a stone with the plow or the hoe. Plenty of
boulders suitable for the walling of wells, cellars and cisterns are found
along the banks of the Rock, Little Rock, and Big Sioux rivers. Lime
stone is found on the Sioux, and is there converted into excellent lime in
large quantities. But in our great quarries of quartzite rock, lies buried our principal wealth in stone. These are situated at the extreme northwest corner of the State, and crop out at a number of places, over an area of about two square miles. The largest exposure occupies a space of about two acres, and extends into the Sioux river at the State corner, causing a fine fall and water power at that point. This is a hard, stratified rock of a beautiful reddish color. The State Geologist, who visited these quarries in 1868, gives it the name of "Sioux Quartzite," and ascribes its formation to the Azoic age. He states that is the only out-crop of this rock in the State, and pronounces it "absolutely indestructible." This rock at present is rendered practically useless, owing to want of transportation, but we look forward to the time when it will enter into the construction of works of art, and enduring homes for the people of Lyon County. |