Grand Meadow Township in Mower County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Perfect Spot
Photographed by McGhiever, October 5, 2025
1. The Perfect Spot Marker
Nearly 400 million years ago, limestone formed in ocean bottoms across southern Minnesota. As oceans receded, pools of glass-like silica remained, forming grey chert. Much later, was the glaciers melted, layers of sand and gravel buried the limestone and chert layers.
Location of the Grand Meadow Chert Quarry/Wanhi Yukan at the headwaters of the Root River.
Lidar image of the quarry pits.
Hιkta ehaŋnaḣ Mnisota maḳoc̣e ded mniwaŋca yuḳe k'a hute ed νŋyaŋ aec̣eṭipi (limestone eyapi) kiŋ ic̣aġe. Mnig he ḣ'aŋhiya iyaye hιehanŋ waŋhi ic̣aġe. Ec̣iŋ c̣aḣowaŋca skaŋskaŋ hιehaŋn c̣asmu k'a iḣ'e kiŋ νŋyaŋ aec̣eṭipi k'a waŋhi akaḣpe.
This location is where the highest point of the chert-bearing limestone meets the thinnest layer of glacial outwash. The 88 pits preserved along the Wanhi Yukan Trail were dug here because of this geological sweet spot, where Grand Meadow Chert was available just below the surface.
Fossils, like the ones shown below, help us understand that the Grand Meadow Chert Formation is 385 million years old, from the Devonian Period.
fenestrate bryzoan winged spiriferid brachiopod trilobite star sponge
Topics.
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Location. 43° 43.64′ N, 92° 35.353′ W. Marker is near Grand Meadow, Minnesota, in Mower County. It is in Grand Meadow Township. It can be reached from 730th Avenue, on the right when traveling north. The marker is on the self-guided interpretive trail at the Grand Meadow Chert Quarry. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 25578 730th Avenue, Grand Meadow MN 55936, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Minnesota. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Grand Meadow Chert Quarry/Wanhi Yukan (here, next to this marker); A Truly Grand Rock (here, next to this marker); The Quarry Story/Maḳa Ook'e Wσyakapi Kiŋ Dιe
Photographed by McGhiever, October 5, 2025
2. The Perfect Spot Marker (right) on the Grand Meadow Chert Quarry entrance kiosk
Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 6, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
