BUILDING STONE

Many of Michigan's rocks are suitable as building stone.

The blocks below were cut from Precambrian sandstone.  In the UP, the major types of Precambrian sandstone are the Jacobsville sandstone and the Miner's Castle sandstone.   Presumably, these rocks formed as the Penokean Highlands of the southern UP were eroding, and the sediments from these highlands were being deposited in a shallow sea, where now the northern UP and Lake Superior sit.

Many buildings in the UP, such as the Marquette City Hall (below) are built with Precambrian sandstone derived locally.

Source:  Photograph by Randy Schaetzl, Professor of Geography - Michigan State University

The Jacobsville Sandstone, shown below, is remarkably beautiful and widely used in the "Copper Country".  Note the use of the gray, copper-bearing Portage Lake lava stones in the lowermost part of the structure.

Source:  Photograph by Randy Schaetzl, Professor of Geography - Michigan State University


Limestone is also used as a building stone, and as "flagstone" for walls and pathways.

Source:  Photograph by Randy Schaetzl, Professor of Geography - Michigan State University

This material has been compiled for educational use only, and may not be reproduced without permission.  One copy may be printed for personal use.  Please contact Randall Schaetzl (soils@msu.edu) for more information or permissions.