Dyke Park, Stamford, Fairfield Co., Connecticut, USA

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Based on information by Lent (1967) and from field collecting, Ryerson (1972) provided a summary of this unique find:

"Although the specimens collected here are presumably not native to Connecticut, this area provides a unique collecting experience. [Adjacent harbor] Dredging operations and the subsequent dumping of fill in Dyke Park and behind the Woodward [Woodland] Cemetery have yielded flint nodules and some fossils in chalk. One theory advanced for the existence of the flint and chalk in the harbor muck is that it had been used as ballast in ships in earlier days and then dumped into the harbor. The specimens are attributed to the Dover Cliffs of England. The specimens are quite attractive, and certainly a most desirable addition to one’s mineral collection. Also found here are barite and fluorescent fluorite. The dredging and dumping has been going on since late 1966; it would be difficult to assess how long this will remain a collecting area. As late as June 1967, interesting specimens were still available at this location, and may continue to be so for an indefinite length of time."

The flint nodules have the dark gray interior and white external coating typical of the Dover material. Barite and fluorite were also abundant elsewhere in England, so the association makes some sense.

Mineral List

Baryte

'Flint'

Fluorite

3 entries listed. 2 valid minerals.

References