Page:Historical and Biographical Annals of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania, Containing a Concise History of the Two Counties and a Genealogical and Biographical Record of Representative Families.djvu/50

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES tion are to be found in Beaver and Conyngham townships, Columbia county, although it was formerly thought that coal could be developed in Briarcrcek township, while in 1914 discoveries of coal have been made in the vicinity of Exchange, Montour county. The mines arc treated in the separate sketches of these townships.

GEOLOGY OF THE DIFFERENT DIVISIONS

Following arc short reviews of the characteristic formation and elevations of the townships and boroughs of Columbia and Montour counties, Columbia being the first in order of description.

Columbia County

Scott—Most of the strata of the Clinton and Helderberg formations arc exposed in this township along Montour ridge. Fossil iron ore was formerly extensively mined at several points, but is now exhausted. Several quarries were at one time operated along the ridge for lime burning, but are now abandoned. The highest elevation of Montour ridge in this township is 900 feet.

Centre—Most of the formations characteristic of this part of the State are shown in this township, along Montour ridge and Huntington mountain. The Bossardville and Lower Helderberg limestones are extensively mined for lime burning and cement purposes, while the Bastard limestone between, which caused so much trouble in the past to qauarrymen by reason of its hardness and awkward location, is now broken into a fine quality of road material. Lead and Zinc were found in granular state in small pockets in the Upper Salina limestone beds, and were supposed to warrant exploitation, but although thousands of dollars were spent in investigation there were no tangible results. The entire valley of this township south of Lime Ridge is covered with boulders and gravel, deposited in the past by glacial and alluvial action. The highest point of the Huntington mountain in the township is about 1,500 feet.

Briarcreek—Here the Montour axis passes under the town of Berwick, while Hamilton and Knob mountains pass almost entirely across the area of the township. Both elevations are about t,5oo feet above the sea. Glacial action cut the valley between these mountains and remains of ice deposits of boulders and trash are to be abundantly found. These were the accumulations from the great terminal moraine of the glacier that at one time covered the State of New York and extended as far south as Berwick.

Mifflin—The rocks of this township extend from the Pocono beds in the summit of Nescopeck mountain to the Lower Helderberg limestone ill the bed of the Susquehanna opposite Mifflinville. The glacier that came as far south as Berwick did not cross the river to this township, but crossed its melting ice streams into the Susquehanna. Later stream action caused the deposits of, rounded boulders and gravel to cover the surface of this section. The crest of Nescopeck mountain, which forms the southern larder of the township, is 1,625 feet above sea level.

Sugarloaf—The rocks of this township belong to the Catskill formation, with the exception of a narrow belt of Pocono which forms the summit of North mountain. Drift heaps and gravel beds cover most of the area. The highest elevation in this township is 1,275 feet.

Benton—The Catskill and Chemung rocks predominate here. Drift and gravel beds predominate. The greatest altitude in this township is 850 feet.

Jackson—Catskill and Chemung red sandstones are found here, with many boulder beds. Glacial remains abound. The greatest altitude is 1,280 feet.

Pine—Chemung, Catskill and Hamilton formations predominate in this section. Genesee shales and Tully limestones are also found. The greatest elevation is 1,315 feet.

Greenwood—Chemung and Hamilton rocks here predominate. There are also found areas of Genesee black shale. In the Chemung sandstones a quarry was once operated near the Mount Pleasant township line, furnishing rough building stone. This township is practically free from boulders. The land is generally free from stones, and the rocks are of the black shale. The highest elevation is near Millville—825 feet.

Fishingcreek—Pocono, Catskill, Chemung, Genesee and Hamilton rocks are here exposed. Glacial deposits form the great plain along Huntington creek. The highest point is Huntington mountain, 1,500 feet above sea level.

Orange—The rocks in this township run from the Pocono to the base of the Chemung formation. Great heaps of rounded boulders are scattered over the hill summits and give evidence of the sea having covered this section of the State in past ages. From the summit of Knob mountain an extensive view is had of the counties of Montour and Columbia. This altitude is 1,430 feet.