REPORT OF THE STATE GEOLOGIST. lv 



In the Cretaceous area north of the Colorado Kiver there are no sand- 

 stones of any particular value so far as our examinations have extended. 



The area of the Central Coal Field abounds in excellent sandstone 

 for building stone, some of which has been extensively quarried and 

 used in the construction of buildings from Dallas west to Cisco. It is 

 of good color, quarries well, and presents a handsome appearance in the 

 wall. It is so generally found in this district that it is impossible to 

 name the localities. 



In the Permian there are some sandstones which will be of wide ap- 

 plication in the buildings of the State. East of Pecos City, at Quito, 

 on the Texas and Pacific Kailway, a company has recently opened a 

 quarry in a compact, well jointed red sandstone which is probably of 

 Permian age. It is of a beautiful red color, uniform in texture and 

 color, easily worked yet durable, and in every way adapted to the best 

 uses in building. The company in boring a well at the place have 

 passed through more than one hundred feet of this red sandstone, thus 

 proving its unlimited quantity. It will compare favorably in every way 

 with the sandstones formerly imported into the State for the fronts and 

 trimmings of buildings. 



Beyond the Carrizo and Diabolo Mountains there is a fine grained red 

 sandstone which is destined to be one of the finest building stones of 

 the State. It is a little darker in color than the Quito stone, finer 

 grained, firmer, of even texture, and will lend itself to almost any 

 character of decoration. 



In this Trans-Pecos Region there are many other sandstones and 

 quartzites which will in time come into use for structural purposes. 



SLATE. 



The two areas in which the older rocks are found both give promise 

 of furnishing slate suitable for roofing. In the Central Mineral District 

 several localities have been examined which on the surface give indi- 

 cation of furnishing good roofing slate, and in the vicinity of the Car 

 rizo Mountains, El Paso County, similar indications are found. 



It will of course require some actual work in opening the quarry 

 sufficiently to ascertain the condition of the material below the surface 

 to fully decide the value of the deposits, but the indications are very 

 favorable and warrant such an attempt at development. 



Thus it is readily apparent that in building stone there is no lack of 

 variety, as well as an ample supply of all that can be made useful. 



