Monday, May 22, 2017

Our Past Is Present May 22, 2017

May 22, 2017
            This is “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.
            Today’s story is a fish story – but it is not your usual story about the big one that got away.  This fish story made headlines in the “Junction City Union” newspaper in May of 1870.  The article told readers that during excavations in the northern part of Geary County a portion of the remains of a gigantic fossil fish were found.  It had been deeply embedded in the ground and was surrounded by a mass of boulders and other debris.  This indicated that there had been water on that spot.  Although only a portion of the remains were petrified, it was estimated that the monster fish was at least 30 feet in length with a head about a sixth of the fish’s entire length.  It had a large eye and the body was covered with a thick skin similar to that of the catfish.  The dorsal fin extended across the fish’s length.  The article concluded that there were other fossilized fish in the area, which were yet to be examined by experts.

            We have some fossils found in Geary County at our Museum.  Stop by and take a look and imagine what they might have looked like when the animals or birds roved or flew in our part of Kansas.  Our Museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 1 until 4:00 PM and admission is free.  We hope to see you soon!!!  

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