Grand Canyon National Park
Mystery of the LOST Trilobite Exhibits - Part 3
Built by the C.C.C. at Indian Gardens, May 1936

HAS ANYONE SEEN THESE EXHIBITS RECENTLY ?


From a report by Vincent W. Vandiver 1936, National Park Service Regional Geologist

Trilobite Quarry Number Three

It was desirable to have an exhibit nearer the main trail, so Mr. O'Brien, the C.C.C. foreman, designated Enrollee Whiticker to help in some exploration work with the result that some fossils were found and this quarry was opened as a second trailside exhibit. This exhibit is located about 10 yards east of the Bright Angel Trail and 3/10ths mile below Indian Gardens.

When a suitable number of specimens had been uncovered and when they had been coated with ambroid for protection against the sun, the glass frame cover was cemented into the masonry wall.

This cross-section of Quarry No. 3 shows the protective wall at the right with the glass frame cover being placed into position. The Bright Angel Trail should be diverted by a few yards here so that it will pass by the exhibit.

The trilobites included in this exhibit are, in the main, much smaller than those developed in the first exhibit and apparently belong to a different group and may represent several new species. The material collected should be gone over carefully to determine if that is the case.

This work provided an innovation for the boys in the C.C.C. Camp. They were very much interested in what we found and several became very adept at fossil collecting. Many questions were asked by the boys about the life in the rocks and the geology of the canyon in general. Mr. O'Brien, their foreman, made every effort to help out on the project and the enrollees worked hard to complete the exhibits on schedule.

It is of my opinion that the educational value of such fossil trilobite exhibits can not be overestimated. As has been previously stated, fossil exhibits are much more impressive when they are developed in place. This project has been so successful that I do not hesitate to recommend the development of other features of this type. It is therefore urged that approval be obtained as soon as possible for projects to include exhibits of the fossil footprints in the Coconino Sandstone and the ferns in the Hermit Shale.

Respectfully submitted,
Vincent W. Vandiver, Regional Geologist

Solve The Mystery Of The "Lost" Trilobite Exhibits? Plus, Color Trilobite Photos!

Trilobite Quarry No. 1 | Trilobite Quarry No. 2 | Can You Solve The Mystery ?

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