Mohave County miner., 1902-06-21
A Geological Survey OF Washington


The more the resources Of the state
OF Washington are studied the more
apparent 1t becomes that Nature has
been extremely generous in endowing
this young commonwealth with her
choicest gifts. Every succeeding year
gives added evidence that the citizens
are coming to a realization of the many
aud varied characters of the opportuni.
ties that surround them. Not only are
the actual resident of the state coming
to know OF their great possibilities, bnt
the intelligent aud far.seeing people of
other aud older states are likewise
coming to know the great undeveloped
resources Of Washington. For several
years II has been generally known that
this state contains vast acreage of
fertile agricultural land; inquirine peo.
pie do not now have to be told of the
magnificent forests of merchantable
timber, nor of the many fine harbors
that are advantageously located for a
rapidly increasing commerce. The
world perhaps needs to know more of
the extent to which our fishing indus.
try can be developed, but it is in great
er need of accurate information cou.
cerning the contents of he large aud
mountainous area in which useful and
precious minerals abound in sufficient
quantities, it is believed, to make
Washington great aud prosperous
mineral bearing state. Before the con
tents of these mountains can become
known, even to our own citizens, a.
well as TO the people of other states
who have an interest in becoming iden-
titled with the mineral development of
the northwest, it is necessary that
careful and systematic study be made
of our economic minerals. Following
the practice that has been adopted by
most Of the states in the union, the
legislature of Washington, very soon
after the admission of the territory to
statehood, provided for a geological
survey. On account of the business
depression that set in few years later.
the work Of the survey was discon-
tinued. In the winter of 1871 another
appropriation was made for further
prosecution of study of the geology
of the state in all its various branches.
As result of such action by he legis
lature, Prof. Henry Landes, of the
state university, was chosen state
geologisf, and about year ago he or.
ganized his staff and began carrying
out the objects Of the law, providing
for the survey. The first volume of
the report has recently been pu bills he'd
and contains vast amount of infor-
nation of interest to all persons who
are identified with the material pros
perity OF the state. The work is di.
vided into six parts, the first consist.
ing of an introduction relating to the
creation of the survey aud an outline
of the geology of the state by Prof.
Landes. Part two is an outline of the
metalliferous resources of the state
aud is used as preparatory matter
leading to a more detailed description
OF the various mining districts that
will be embraced in later reports.
Some OF the representative ore de-
posits are described, bat the classifi.
cation of the deposits and the outlines
Of the counties or districts are re.
served for subsequent publications.
Part three relates to the non metallif-
erous resources of the state, except
coal; but including building and orna-
mental stones, clay materials, lime.
stones, soils, road making material and
petroleum. Concerning the latter pro.
duct, Prof. Landes says: "Petroleum,
at the present time, is not one of the
states determined mineral resources
The subject receives some considera.
tion in this report because of the wide
spread interest in oil prospecting, and
because of the many Inquiries as to
whether or not there Is any possibility
OF oil being found in different parts OF
the state. There are some parts OF
Washington where the corresp spondence
In age, composition and structure be-
tween the rocks here and those Of the
oil bearing districts OF California Is
very striking. In such localities of
the state, especially where there are
good surface indications, prospecting
for oil may be looked upon as we'll
worth the while" Part four of the re.