Hopewell Township near Heath in Licking County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Vanport Flint

Ohio's Gemstone

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 4, 2024

1. Vanport Flint Marker

Inscription. The flint deposits at Flint Ridge are found in rocks of the geologic era known as the Pennsylvanian Period (299-320 million years ago). These deposits are the largest and purest occurrence of flint in the state. Technically called "Vanport flint," Flint Ridge flint occurs in layers from 10 to 12 feet thick at this site. Vanport flint is particularly notable for its array of colors. Flint ranges in color from white to black but is usually light gray to milky white and often mottled with patches and streaks. Other colors, however, such as bright red, yellow, green and blue make Vanport flint unique. It can be so colorful that it's commonly referred to as Ohio's "rainbow" flint. The unusual beauty and historical importance of Flint Ridge flint earned it the title of Ohio's official gemstone in 1965.

Erected by Ohio History Connection.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Natural Resources. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1965.

Location. 39° 59.273′ N,

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82° 15.715′ W. Marker is near Heath, Ohio, in Licking County. It is in Hopewell Township. It is on Flint Ridge Road (Ohio Route 312) 0.2 miles east of Brownsville Road (Route 668), on the right when traveling east. The marker stands on the grounds of the Flint Ridge State Memorial. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9 Brownsville Rd, Glenford OH 43739, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Columbus Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

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,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: What Is Flint? (a few steps from this marker); People At Flint Ridge Through Time (within shouting distance of this marker); People And Technology: Mining And Crafting Flint

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 4, 2024

2. Vanport Flint Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); Flint Ridge (within shouting distance of this marker); The Gilbert W. Dilley Museum at Flint Ridge (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Flint Ridge (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named People At Flint Ridge Through Time (within shouting distance of this marker); For Everything There Is A Season (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Heath.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 373 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 9, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.