DeinonychusDec 19, 2022

Since there has been a sudden uptick in people following my nonsense, here is my favorite #mineral specimen.

#Pyromorphite from the Wheatley Mines in #Pennsylvania circa ~1870s. Before being shut down, the Phoenixville District sourced much of the lead used in bullets for the American Civil War. I like the thought of Pennsylvania rocks breaking Confederate skulls.

Specimen mine. Photo Mark Mauthner. Ex. Wheatley Collection

#mineralogy #minerals #crystals #geology #earthsciences

Show threadjoy larkin 🌺✨Dec 19, 2022

@deinonychus

Oh whoa, I had no idea about this history of Phoenixville, PA. It's just a sleepy suburban #Philly town these days.

Show threadDeinonychusDec 19, 2022
@joy Spent years in the area and never knew. There was a rich history of iron and lead mining in the region, Chester County produced some mineralogical wonders
Show threadjoy larkin 🌺✨Dec 19, 2022
@deinonychus Whoa, I had no idea. I lived in the area (Chesco/Delco) for a good decade and a half and my family is still there. Was the mining just mainly northern Chesco?
Show threadDeinonychus
@joy A lot in northern Chester (French Creek, Phoenixville, Hopewell) but surprisingly well dispersed. Delaware County has its own mineralogical history, including some lovely garnets.
Dec 19, 2022 at 8:47pmWeb