Near Perkinsville in Steuben County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Mastodon Bones

Photographed by Bruce Kelly, August 28, 2023

1. Mastodon Bones Marker

Inscription. Discovered by John Morsch in August 1907 on his farm near here. Bones purchased by New York State Museum in Albany in 1916.

Erected 2022 by William G. Pomeroy Foundation. (Marker Number 971.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Paleontology. In addition, it is included in the William G. Pomeroy Foundation series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.

Location. 42° 32.654′ N, 77° 37.633′ W. Marker is near Perkinsville, New York, in Steuben County. It is on Chaple St (County Road 91), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Perkinsville NY 14529, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York,

specifically in Western New York,

and in the Southern Tier.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

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and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bennett Bros. (approx. 2½ miles away); Wayland Veterans Memorial (approx. 2½ miles away); Daniel Goho Post 87 (approx. 3½ miles away); Pioneer Park (approx. 3½ miles away); Early Cemetery (approx. 3½ miles away); St. Paul's Lutheran Church (approx. 3.6 miles away); First Local Red Cross (approx. 3.6 miles away); Clara Barton (approx. 3.6 miles away).

Also see . . . Mastodon skeleton discovered in Steuben County resurfaces with historic marker. By the Evening Tribune

Summary: A Steuben County farmer uncovered a near-complete mastodon skeleton in 1907, putting the small hamlet of Perkinsville in the national spotlight.

The mastodon died over 13,300 years ago, according to carbon dating. The creatures could weigh 10,000 pounds and were once common in New York state.

The Perkinsville mastodon has enjoyed a level of fame. It has been used in research studies, displayed at the New York State Museum, and a 3D scan of its tooth is available online.

(Submitted on September 2, 2023.)

Photographed by Bruce Kelly, August 28, 2023

2. Mastodon Bones Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2023, by Bruce Kelly of Perry, New York. This page has been viewed 330 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 29, 2023, by Bruce Kelly of Perry, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.