Crinoids Get Framed

at the County Administration Building

The 300 million year old fossils in the Fremont County Administration Building have been framed!
The four frames on the left show fossils found in the conglomerate at the County Admin Building in Cañon City
One frame shows actual crinoid fossils as opposed to the one dimensional crinoid cross-sections found in the conglomerate on the walls
Loretta Bailey scouts for crinoids

In an effort to raise community awareness of the remarkable beauty and ancient fossil creatures preserved in the locally-quarried walls of our County building, we have framed several fossils and provided explanatory information to help our community understand our Fremont County Fountain conglomerate, age 300 million years old.

With the help of several Stones ‘n Bones members who scouted the conglomerate walls for special fossils, seven ‘Fossil Stops’ were identified as good examples of crinoids at the right height for people to view. One exquisite columnal (small piece of the crinoid stem) found by Frank Lovato would have been great for interested dogs. And one exquisite display of pinnules (fragile arm segments) was in a dark hallway, so that also remains unframed, but we would be delighted to show it to anyone interested.

The frames help call attention to walls many have walked by for years without realizing the wealth of ancient history contained in those river-tumbled rocks.

One piece of conglomerate is being polished by Jack Murphy, former Curator of Geology at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, and will soon be added to the museum’s Building Stones of Colorado collection.

Frank Lovato, Millie Wintz, Barry Smith, Jim Meacham and Matt Eaton during crinoid scouting.  Visitors to the County building exhibited concern, fear, curiosity and wonderment until we explained that there are fossils is these walls.
Fossil Stop 4 shows crinoid stars
Fossil Stop 5 shows a rare exterior crinoid column found by Matt Eaton.
This conglomerate slab will be added to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science Building Stones of Colorado collections.  Frank Lovato, Cindy Smith holding the slab, Matt Eaton, Millie Wintz, and Jim Meacham.

Please see the “Fossils in Cañon City Fountain Conglomerate” article for more information on the conglomerate and the crinoids that got framed.