USA > Michigan > Washtenaw County > History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166
154
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
Wells and Springs .- Intimately connected with the Modified Drift are the existence and phenomena of springs and wells. If the porous materials were not interstratified with beds of clayey, impervious materials, all the water which falls upon the surface of the earth would percolate downward to such distance that wells would become impracticable; and the little subterranean stream would never be diverted to make its escape on the hillside. Any surface stream which might come into existence as the incident of a summer rain, would rapidly sink into the sands. In fact, there could no more be surface streams than bubbling springs and endur- ing wells. It is the frequent intervention of a dish of impervious clay, which arrests the waters in their downward percolation, and either holds the sapply to be tapped by wells, or guides to an escape in the hillside fountain. The same cause holds the streams in their channels. The great sandy deserts of the world are illustrations of the condition which Washtenaw county would assume, if all the sandy materials of the Drift had been arranged in one superficial layer, instead of being interstratified, as they are, with sheets of impervious clay. As the whole county, with the exception of swampy tracts, is overspread with these stratified deposits, it will be understood that springs are plentiful, streams perennial, and wells generally attainable within convenient distances of the sur- face. These are natural advantages which cannot be too vividly appreciated .*
What has been already said will render it easily understood that any subterranean waters are always charged with solutions con- taining lime and iron, and other substances in smaller proportions. Our waters are generally " hard." But, in many springs, the pro- portion of iron also, is so large that the waters become distinctly chalybeate. This is the case, for instance, with the water supplied to the University. A series of springs issuing from the banks of a ravine in the western part of the city of Ann Arbor, were made the basis of a bathing and sanitary establishment which was maintained several years, and until destroyed by fire. The most abundant constituent of this water is calcium carbonate, but it also contains salts of magnesium, iron, sodium, potassium, and a trace of iodine.t
At Saline, salt springs attracted attention, in the early settle- ment of the county, and gave name to the village and the township. As the brine, however, originates beneath the Drift formation, it will be considered under the next general head.
Configuration of the General Surface .- Nearly all that has been carried by streams into the lakes or the channels of drainage from the country, has been removed from the beds of Drift materials which have thus far occupied our attention. Much of the removed
* See the writer's Sketches of Creation, pp. 232-235.
t See analysis in the writer's State Geological Report, 1861, p. 204.
155
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
material has gone in a state of solution. Some of this has been precipitated, and some organically deposited in the bottoms of lakes. Some has gone into the Huron, the Saline and Raisin rivers and Stony creek, and the West and South branches of the Rouge, and thus passed forever beyond the limits of the county. A larger proportion of the material removed from the situations in which it formerly existed, has gone in the form of mechanical sediment. The process is illustrated in every turbid stream, and in every roadside torrent which follows the summer shower. Some of this has aided in the filling of lakelets, and other portions have been borne quite out of the county. It is apparent, therefore, that sur- face erosions are deepening and widening all the valleys. If this process is going forward before human eyes, it must have proceeded during the past, as long as the climatic conditions have been similar to the present -- that is, ever since the end of that action which dis- tributed the modified drift. During this long period, the work of valley erosion must have contributed much to the diversification of the original surface. In other words, the principal bulk of the material removed from the valley has been removed since the epoch of the floods. The broad valley of the Huron has been lowered from 50 to 100 feet, and the other streams sunken correspondingly. Subordinate passage-ways for drainage waters have cut the original surface in other directions, and the total result has left a general superficies intersected by valleys, and relieved by numberless hills and ranges of hills. This configuration is conspicuously seen along the whole valley of the Huron and all the southwestern part of the town of Ann Arbor, the eastern part of Scio, the northwestern part of Sharon, the central part of Sylvan on each side of the great marsh, the southeastern, central and northern parts of Lyndon, and the western part of Dexter. These hillsides, especially in the town of Ann Arbor, have been extensively planted to peach-trees and vines; and the amount of peaches, grapes and other sorts of fruits shipped from the city of Ann Arbor has recently grown to important dimensions. Large portions of the county, however, are spread out in beautiful agricultural plains, and these have generally been regarded as the choicest tracts. A large part of the township of Lima possesses a gently undulating surface, and a warm, light, loamy soil. The greater part of Freedom possesses a similar char- acter, and much of the southeastern part of Sharon is a beautiful plain. A similar tract in the town of Lodi has suggested the name of Lodi Plains. Other plain areas of less extent lie in south- eastern Webster, southwestern Northfield, southeastern Salem and central Augusta.
No exact observations have ever been made enabling us to arrive at any precise statement of the extent of the inequalities of the surface of the county. We know, however, that the general altitude of the surface above the level of the river at Detroit is
156
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
about 325 feet .* The eastern and southern borders of the county are about 175 feet above Detroit river, while the town of Dexter rises to about 300 feet, and the western part of Lyndon to about 475 feet. An equal elevation is attained in the northeastern part of the county, near the boundary between Salem and Northfield. The highest land in the county is probably among the " short hills " of Lyndon. In all parts of the county hills exist which attain elevations 50 or 100 feet higher than the means above given. The general level about the city of Ann Arbor (University grounds) is 314 feet, while Observatory hill is 356 feet, being 128 feet above Main street, 1693 feet above the level of the Huron river opposite the old railroad tank, and 163 feet above the river at the lower bridge. The corner of Huron and Main street is 77 feet above Huron river at the lower bridge. The surface of Pleasant lake, Sept. 13, 1855, was 188.33 feet above the track at Michigan Cen- tral depot, Ann Arbor, or 382 feet above Detroit river.
As the level of Lake Michigan, which is the same as that of Lake Huron, is a convenient and generally accepted place of refer- ence, I employ the Chicago city directrix as a datum in the tables of altitudes which follow.
Above Chicago Directrix.
Above the Sea.
Chicago City Directrix
0
587.15
Lake Erie base ..
-19.3
567.85
Detroit river, Detroit, June 1, 1869
-- 16.3
570.85
Huron river, opp. old R. R. Tank, E. of Ann Arbor.
152
739
Lake Ridge, near Ypsilanti. .
158
745
Huron river, at lower bridge, Ann Arbor
160
747
Ann Arbor station ....
177
764
Cor. Huron and Main streets, Ann Arbor.
237
824
Spring supplying University
266
853
University grounds (S. W. cor., S. wing, main edifice, 1854) ..
280
867
Observatory
322
909
The following are estimates.
General surface of county.
309
896
Eastern and southern borders.
159
746
General level of Dexter
284
871
Western part of Sylvan.
459
1046
* The plane of reference of the Michigan Central R R. is the level of the Detroit river, June 1, 1869. This, according to elaborate determinations made by me in 1872, is three feet above "Lake Erie Base," the plane of reference of the Michigan Southern R. R., 16.3 feet below the Chicago city directrix, and 570.85 feet above the sea-level. The Chicago city directrix is two feet below the mean level of Lake Michigan for twenty years, according to the investigations of Mr. James T. Gardner (Ann. Report Hayden Geolog. Survey, 1873, p. 638). Gardner's determinations are adopted generally by Mr. Henry Gannett {( Lists of Elevations, being " Miscellaneous Publications " No. 1 of the Hayden Geol. Surv. 4th ed., 1877).
157
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
MICHIGAN CENTRAL RAILROAD.
(Elevations of grade. Copied by the writer from original notes in the office at Detroit )
Above
Dist.
Above Detroit Riv. Chicago City 1 June, 1869.
miles. East base of "Lake Ridge."
163.3
147.0
Summit of Ridge .
174
157.7
Ypsilanti, west switch.
132.89
116.59
31.0
Bridge 2, Ypsilanti.
141.0
124.7
31.7 Bridge 3 (Huron river).
158.0
141.7
32.3
Ridge (Surface 185 or 168.7 above Lake Michigan).
166.6
150.3
32.5 Bridge 4.
163.0
146.7
33.2
Bridge 5.
164.2
147.9
33.4
Geddes. Semaphore.
166.0
149.7
36.1
Bridge 6.
178.4
162.1
36.5
Bridge 7
182.0
165.7
37.5
Ann Arbor
193.62
177.3
38.9
Kellogg's
211.0
194.7
39.1
Bridge 9.
212.8
196.5
40.8
Bridge 10.
222.2
205.9
41.3
Bridge 11 (Surface of earth 234 or 217.7).
223.2
206.9
42.0
Bridge 12, near Aspin's Mill.
237.0
220.7
42.4
Bridge 13, near Delhi.
243.1
226.8
42.6 Delhi station.
247.0
230.7
43.1
Bridge 14 ..
268.1
241.8
44.9
Bridge 15.
262.6
246.3
46.9
Dexter station
280.61
264.3
47.2
Mill Creek.
273.5
252.2
50.9
327.74
311.4
52.1
310.3
294.0
53.5
337.54
321.24
54.3
Chelsea, Main street.
337.2
320 9
56.1
335.8
319.5
60.4 (Surface 446 or 429.7).
433.7
417.4
61.2 Francisco, Jackson county.
439.25
422.9
ANN ARBOR TO MANCHESTER.
(Elevation of surface of ground. From survey made by the writer in September, 1855.)
Above Chicago Datum.
Station.
0 Top of rail M. C R. R. station, W. end of freight house, Ann Arbor.
4.777
172.52
30 Middle of sec 25, Scio.
216.46
388.98
44 S. W. cor. sec. 25, Scio.
219.96
392.48
56 S W. + N. W. ¿ sec. 35, Scio
193.40
365.92
65 S. W. cor. sec. 34, Scio.
249.49
421.01
70 E. ¿ N. W. + sec 4, Lodi.
221.69
394.21
97 Middle S. side sec. 7, Lodi ..
199.01
371.53
102 Middle W. line sec. 18, Lodi
204.56
377.08
113
Middle S. side sec. 13, Freedom
230.11
402.63
114
N. W. + sec. 24, Freedom.
222.29
394.81
120
S. E. + N. W. + sec. 23, Freedom.
219.79
392.31
126
W. side S. W. A sec. 23, Freedom ..
213.80
386.32
143 E. side S. W. + sec. 28, Freedom.
230.14
402.66
149 S. E. N. W. 1 sec. 32, Freedom.
209.21
381.73
164 Middle of N. W. & sec. 6, Bridgewater
182.15
354.67
Directrix.
44.2 Scio station. Semaphore.
248.5
232.2
158
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
Another Line.
124 S. W. cor. sec. 23, Freedom.
225.35
397.87
137 Center of N. E. + sec. 27, Freedom. 274.19
446.71
140 S. W. cor. sec. 27, Freedom.
256.89
429.41
147 Center sec. 33, Freedom.
217.07
389.59
157 S. E. cor. sec. 32, Freedom.
168.31 340.83
195 Highway, close by Raisin river, Manchester
153.40
325.92
DETROIT, HILLSDALE & INDIANA RAILROAD.
(Elevation of grade. From data obtained by the writer in the office of the com- pany in 1872.)
Station.
W. side S. E. ¿ sec. 6, Ypsilanti.
190
N. E. + N. E. 4 sec. 12, Pittsfield.
183
N. side S. W. + sec. 12, Pittsfield 217
S. W. ¿ sec. 21, Pittsfield. 217
N. W. ¿ S. W. 4 sec. 29, Pittsfield. 192
203
W. side S. W. 4 sec. 36, Lodi.
190
W. side N. E. ¿ sec. 4, Saline
215
Center N. E. A sec. 1, Bridgewater.
293
Center N. E. 4 sec. 2, Bridgewater.
212
Center S. W. A sec. 3, Bridgewater 254
258
Center S. W. 4 sec. 5, Bridgewater. 303
291
Center sec. 1, Manchester. 293
297
S. W. + S. W. + sec. 3, Manchester. 313
W. side N. E. + sec. 9, Manchester. 313
333
S. W. + N. E. 4 sec. 8, Manchester 383
Center S. E. 4 sec. 7, Manchester
362
DETROIT, LANSING & NORTHERN RAILROAD.
(Elevation of grade. From data copied by the writer in the office of the com- pany .)
Above
Chicago
Datum.
Station.
S. W. { N. E. { sec. 19, Plymouth, Wayne county .
251
S. W., + N. W. 4 sec. 13, Salem. 342
Center S. W . 4 sec. 11, Salem. 348
W. side N. W. 4 sec 3, Salem 394
LAKE SHORE & MICHIGAN SOUTHERN RAILROAD-JACKSON BRANCH.
(Elevation of grade. Copied and reduced by the writer from records in office of the company.)
S. W. ¿ S. E. ¿ sec. 32, Bridgewater 229
E. side N. W. 2 sec. 29, Bridgewater. 272
Center N. W. 4 sec. 30, Bridgewater 255
Manchester station. . .
311
S. side N. E. 4 sec. 5, Manchester. 375
Above Chicago Datum.
Center S. E. + sec. 36, Lodi ..
191
S. side S. E. ¿ sec. 34, Lodi. 192
Center N. E. 1 sec. 5, Saline.
Center S. W. 4 sec. 4, Bridgewater.
E. side S. W. + sec. 6. Bridgewater.
E. side S. W. + sec. 2, Manchester.
W. side N. W. ¿ sec. 9, Manchester.
159
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
JACKSON TO PINKERTON, BY WATERLOO.
(Elevation of surface. From records in the office of the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw railroad. Copied and reduced by the writer.)
S. side S. E. ¿ sec. 19, Lyndon. 403
Center N. W. 4 sec. 30, Lyndon 405
N. E. cor. sec. 17, Lyndon 315
S. side N. E. { sec. 4, Lyndon.
331
HOMER & DEXTER CANAL SURVEY.
(Elevation of surface. Copied from records in the office of the Secretary of State Lansing, and reduced by the writer, 1871.)
N. E. ¿ N. W. 4 sec. 6, Scio. 235
N. W. ¿ S. W. ¿ sec 1, Lima. 269
S. E. + N. W. ¿ sec. 11, Lima. 281
Center N. W. 4 sec. 10, Lima.
291
Center N. W. 4 sec. 8, Lima. 277
S. side N. W. 4 sec. 7, Lima. 294
N. W. + N. E. ¿ sec. 11, Sylvan 301
300
S. side N. E. A sec. 4, Sylvan.
S. E. cor. S. W. ¿ sec. 4, Sylvan. 356
S. W. ¿ N. E. 4 sec. 9, Sylvan. 357
366
S. side N. W. 4 sec. 17, Sylvan. 369
W. side N. W. { sec. 18, Sylvan.
377
TOLEDO & ANN ARBOR RAILROAD.
(Elevation of surface. Information furnished by Prof. C. E. Greene, C. E.)
Above Datum of R. R.
Above Detroit River.
Above Chicago Datum.
Level of mill-pond Ann Arbor
194
187.6
171.3
Middle of Sec. 11, Ann Arbor
380
386.4
370.1
N. E. ¿ Sec. 35, Northfield.
415
421.4
405.1
S. E. 14 Sec. 24, Northfield. .
424
430.4
414.1
1 m. S. of S. Lyon village, Oakland County.
340
346.4
330.1
1,000 ft. N. of Centre of S. Lyon village.
392
398.4
382.1
(Data south of Ann Arbor not accessible.)
Water- Powers .- The differences of level above indicated give a sufficient fall to the principal streams of the county to afford an amount of water-power quite worthy the attention of manufactur- ers. The following table shows the descent of the Huron river from point to point between Dexter and Ypsilanti .* In the first column are given the localities; in the second, the intervening dis- tances; in the third, the amount of fall in the intervening distance, and in the fourth, the amount of fall per half mile.
*The altitudes refer to the surface of the water. They were noted by the engin- eers of the M. C. R. R., and copied and reduced by the writer in September, 1872.
S. side N. E. + sec. 3, Sylvan.
306
W. side N. W. 4 sec. 16, Sylvan.
160
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
SOME ELEMENTS OF WATER-POWER IN THE HURON RIVER.
No
LOCALITIES.
Intervenin
Distance.
Intervening
Descent.
Descent per
half mile.
Estimated
horse power
1
Bridge 15, 2 miles W. of Dexter station
2
Bridge 14, } mile W. of Delhi station.
1.8
8.5
2.4
3 Bridge 13, near Delhi
0.7
13.3
9.5 11
4
Bridge 12, near Aspin's Mills.
0.4
6.7
8.4 5.6
5 Bridge 11
0.7
3.8
2.7
6 Bridge 10
0.5
7.7
7.7
6.4
7
Bridge 9, near Kellogg's
1.7
13.0
3.8|10.8
8
Bridge 8.
0.6
3.3
2.7
10
Bridge 7, one mile E. of Ann Arbor
1.0
12.0
6.0 10.0
11
Bridge 6, 1.4 mile E. of Ann Arbor
0.4
2.0
2.5
12
Bridge 5, near Geddes.
2.9
18.0
3.1 15.0
13 Bridge 4
0.7
3.0
2.1
14
Bridge 3.
0.8
14.4
9.012.0
15
Bridge 2, 1.2 mile W. of Ypsilanti.
0.7
2.6
1.9 . . .
16
Bridge 1, at Ypsilanti
1.2
10.8
4.1
9.0
Totals.
15.1 124.3
4.1 . .
It thus appears that the whole descent of the river between Dex- ter and Ypsilanti is 124 feet, with a mean descent of 4.1 feet a half mile, as measured along the railroad. The table also shows that the most rapid fall of the stream is between Delhi and a point 0.7 of a mile east of Delhi. Hence, other things being equal, this is the most advantageous point for the construction of a dam. The next most advantageous point, other things being equal, is at Bridge 3, 2.8 miles west of Ypsilanti, where the river falls nine feet in half a mile. The next best point is near Aspin's mills, 1.1 miles east of Delhi, where the fall is at the rate of 8.4 feet in half a mile.
If we knew the volume of water flowing in the Huron river at any stage, together with the velocity of the flow, it would be easy to calculate the total amount of water-power between Dexter and Ypsilanti, or the amount at any of the points indicated in the table. The rate of descent is one of the factors determining the velocity, and therefore one of the factors in the determination of the power. But the velocity is so much dependent, also, on the vol- ume of water and the nature of the bottom, that no fixed ratio exists between velocity and rate of descent; and we have not the means, therefore, for calculating the velocity from the descent. But as the volume of water and the nature of the bottom are practically uniform between Dexter and Ypsilanti, we may correctly assume that the water-powers at the several points are proportional to the rates of descent, as given in the column next to the last.
So far as I am informed, no actual measurements have been recorded of the volume of water in the Huron river at any point or season. Should we assume, for the sake of an illustration, that
miles
feet
feet
...
9 Ann Arbor, below dam.
1.0
5.2
2.6
4.3
. ..
161
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
where the river is 50 feet wide, it has an average depth of one foot, and a velocity of one mile an hour, then it will afford 11 theoretical horse-powers at locality No. 3, near Delhi, and the water would set back 0.7 of a mile. Near Kellogg's, we should have 10.8 horse- powers, and the water would set back 1.7 miles. At a point one mile east of Ann Arbor, we should have 10 horse-powers, and the water would set back one mile. At a point near Geddes, we should have 15 horse-powers, if a dam could be constructed 18 feet high, and the water would set back nearly three miles, forming an immense reservoir for storage. At Ypsilanti, we should have nine horse-powers, with a dam 10.8 high, and the water would set back 1.2 miles. At any of these points, the power would be increased by a higher dam and a longer set-back of the water. Thus, at Ann Arbor, the height of dam, 5.2 feet, which would set the water back to Bridge 8, would give 4} horse-powers; but the actual height of the dam, 5.6 feet, sets the water back more than a mile, and would give 43 horse-powers .*
Should the area of the cross-section be twice or three times 50 square feet, the power at any of the points mentioned would be twice or three times that stated above. Also, should the velocity be twice or three times as great, the power would be multiplied in the same ratio. Should the cross-section be twice as great, and the velocity twice as great, the power would be four times as great as stated. Or, to put the whole matter in a form which I trust will be intelligible to many readers, the power anywhere may be obtained by multiplying the area of the cross-section in square feet by the velocity in feet per second, and dividing by 8.8. This shows that the power is proportional to the product of width, mean depth and velocity.
Ancient Lake Terrace .- Passing across the southeastern part of the county is a well-marked ridge of gravel, readily distinguished from the ordinary less continuous accumulations of the Modified Drift, which marks, undoubtedly, an ancient shore line. It enters the county from the north, in the northwestern corner of Ypsilanti, and crossing the Huron river a couple of miles east of the village of Ypsilanti, traverses sections 5, 6 and 7 of Augusta, entering York in section 15, passing the village of Mooreville, and leaving the county at the southwest corner of section 32, York. We may add that it continues in about the same direction, as far as section 19, Lenawee county, and that its course is marked by a public highway, which runs from Ypsilanti to Le Roy. In the opposite direction, the ridge passes through section 30 of Canton, Wayne county, thence through section 33, Plymouth, and running a little east of Plymouth village, leaves the town between sections 12 and 13. It
* Many considerations not mentioned enter into a determination of the eligibility of a site. For instance, at a point where the fall is slight, a high dam may be erected, producing an extensive set-back, provided the banks are high and no disastrous flooding is occasioned.
162
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
passes thence through the corner of Livonia into St. Clair county. This ridge has a breadth of several hundred feet, and is from 12 to 15 feet above the flat lands on the lake side. Where crossed by the Michigan Central railroad, it is 157 feet above Lake Michigan (Chicago datum) or 173 feet above Detroit river, or 176 feet above Lake Erie .*
This is only a sample of the system of ridges found encircling all the Great Lakes. They testify to a stage of the lake waters, in times geologically modern, remark ably different from the stage presented in human times.
Mammoth, Mastodon and Gigantic Beaver .- The remains of these animals have been found at many localities in Southern Michi- gan. The Mastodon has been exhumed in Lenawee and Wayne counties, the Mammoth in Jackson county, and the Gigantic Beaver in Oakland county. I am not aware of the actual discovery of such remains in Washtenaw county, but it cannot be doubted that they exist, or have existed here. Such remains always occur in beds of peat and marl, and the position indicates that these now extinct animals lived here within the modern period. The Gigantic Beaver was five feet long, exclusive of the tail, and its remains have been found from New York to Mississippi. Antlers of the deer have been exhumed in Ann Arbor, half a mile east of the University. In Lenawee county, flint arrow heads were discovered at a depth of seven feet in a peat marsh; which is five feet deeper than some of the shallowest Mastodon deposits in the town of Tecumseh.
III. FORMATIONS OLDER THAN THE DRIFT.
Our knowledge of the character and age of the rock formations underlying the Drift, can only be obtained from three sources: 1. The known general trend of formations in contiguous portions of the State. 2. The fragments found in the Drift. 3. Artesian bor- ings.
General Trend of Formations .-- The following, in descending order. are the formations underlying the surface of the Lower Pen- insula.+
* In Mr. Bela Hubbard's Report of 1840, this ridge is said to have a uniform ele- vation of 107 to 108 feet above Lake Erie (p. 104). The profile on the map of Wash- tenaw county, compiled by S. W. Higgins, makes the Central railroad track where it crosses the Lake Ridge, 140 feet above the Detroit river (stage of water unknown), which is about 124. 7 feet above Chicago datum, and about 143 feet above Lake Erie. I have not had time to trace out the cause of these discrepancies.
t These formations will be found described in works on the geology of the State. See the writer's Report, 1861; Walling's Atlas, 1873; Rominger's Report, 1876. Dr. Rominger writes with the Marshall (or Waverly) Group, all the Huron Group ex- cept the Black Shales constituting the lower part. The correctness of this procedure remains to be confirmed. Moreover, he applies to the Corniferous Group (so called by Dana) the name Helderberg Group, which Prof. Dana had previously employed as indicated in the above table.
163
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
Post Tertiary.
Super Drift. Drift.
Modified Drift. Boulder Drift.
Woodville Sandstone.
[ Coal Measures. } Coal Measures proper.
Carboniferous System.
Parma Sandstone (The " Conglomerate").
Carboniferous Limestone.
Lower Carboniferous.
Michigan Salt Group. Marshall Group (The " Waverly").
Huron Group ("Chemung " and "Portage").
Devonian System.
Hamilton Group. Corniferous Group.
Lower Helderberg Group.
Upper Silurian System.
Salina Group. Niagara Group.
The Corniferous Limestone comes to the surface in many parts of Monroe county, as also in the southeastern part of Wayne. A study of the general geology of the State shows that the formation dips from these regions, under nearly the whole Peninsula, and reappears at the surface in the extreme northern part. The Ham- ilton Group is highly calcareous in Northern Ohio and the islands contiguous to Michigan, and in our own State it seems to be struct- urally confounded with the Corniferous. Many characteristic Ham- ilton fossils, however, occur in Southeastern Michigan as well as in place on Kelley's and other islands, and in Western Ontario. This formation also dips under the Peninsula, and re-appears in a belt arching from Thunder Bay to Little Traverse Bay. The clays of the Huron Group are well developed in Branch, Kalamazoo and Allegan counties, and, like the two previous formations, re-appear in the north. The strongly marked sandstones of the Marshall Group outcrop in Lenawee, Hillsdale, Jackson and Calhoun coun- ties, and re-appear at Pt. aux Barques, and in Ottawa and Kent counties. The Carboniferous Limestone is found in Kent, Eaton, Calhoun, Jackson and Huron counties, above the Marshall sand- stones; and all the evidences show that it underlies a great portion of the central part of the Peninsula. Above all these, the Coal Measures outcrop in Ingham, Livingston and Jackson counties.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.