Friday, January 28, 2011

The Lodge at Pertle Springs

A view of the old lodge.
    Quite a few folks around here lament the demolition of a lovely building... the old lodge at Pertle Springs.  If you peer through the trees, you can sense some of the grandeur of the lovely structure. The original hotel at the springs was was much larger and had over 100 rooms. It was destroyed by fire by the 1940s (actual date available upon request.  : )   )
     Through the 1970s and 80s this Lodge was used for group meetings and parties. We appreciate the contribution from a friend who recently found several photos that he shot around the 'burg when he was just learning to use his camera ... a completely different process than learning to "take pictures" today, but that's another post.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Discoveries of Jno. Gallaher

We have come upon the Missouri Geological Survey, written by the state geologist, Jno. A. Gallaher for the State of Missouri in 1900.  He wrote of the"unique" 300 mile magnesian lens in Missouri which he described in great detail.  The presence and type of fossils in this lens indicate, as concurred by his contemporaries, proved the presence of  sargasso seas in parts of Missouri.  One photo of Johnson County, taken by Chas DeGroff, is of a quarry and equipment to make blocks: the only limit of size-- a railroad flat car.  (DeGroff worked with Stone as photographer for Pertle Springs Resort south of Warrensburg. 


There is a coal component to the survey, too, and apparently Johnson County, Missouri coal is great for use in the home!!!. 


Though the sandstone mentioned was much softer that the granite in the south of the state, it was easier to work and quicker to take from the ground.  There were two colors, white and blue.   So, that's why Warresburg stone got shipped all over the midwest, and why it was called "The Quarry City".