File:Fossiliferous limestone (Columbus Limestone, Middle Devonian; Sullivant Quarry, Columbus, Ohio, USA) 73 (41228906035).jpg

Gastropod in fossiliferous limestone from the Devonian of Ohio, USA.

The Ohio Statehouse is located at Capitol Square in downtown Columbus, Ohio. It houses the traditional office and meeting spaces for the state government. Much of the building is constructed of local bedrock building stone - fossiliferous limestones of the Columbus Limestone (Middle Devonian), derived from a quarry adjacent to the Scioto River, west of downtown Columbus.

Shown here is an exterior building stone surface of Columbus Limestone, which is dominated by marine invertebrate fossils such as brachiopods, corals, cephalopods, and gastropods. The prominent fossil at center is a low-spired gastropod. The gastropods (snails & slugs) are a group of molluscs that occupy marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Most have a calcareous external shell (the snails). Some lack a shell completely, or have reduced internal shells (the slugs & sea slugs & pteropods). Most members of the Gastropoda are marine. Most marine snails are herbivores (algae grazers) or predators/carnivores.

From Ohio Historical Society signage:

The State House built 1838-1861

A total of 15 commissioners, seven architect, and numberless artisans built this Grecian Doric State House of local limestone and brick from Indian mound clay at a cost of $1,359,121. Experts today marvel that so many diverse personalities could have produced what is nationally recognized as a "pure" and noble structure.

A cornerstone was laid July 4, 1839, in the "northeast angle of the foundation . . . . " although there is no visual evidence of its existence.

Actual construction progressed during 15 of the 22 years required to complete the building. Political differences, a cholera epidemic, and labor difficulties caused delays. The legislature occupied the unfinished building on January 5, 1857.

This monumental structure, majestic in its simplicity, is truly an historic symbol of democratic government by free men.

Classification: Animalia, Mollusca, Gastropoda

Stratigraphy: Columbus Limestone, Middle Devonian

Provenance: Sullivant Quarry (also known as the State Quarry), southwestern side of the Scioto River, west of downtown Columbus, Ohio, USA (vicinity of 39° 57' 59.64" North latitude; 83° 03' 25.84" West longitude)

Locality: exterior building stone at the Ohio Statehouse, Capitol Square, downtown Columbus, Ohio, USA

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