This is Throwback Thursday #221.  In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general.  If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc …), please send them to esconi.info@gmail.com.  Thanks!

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25 Years Ago – July 1999

• The newsletter had a small article about Mazon Creek “Wonderstone”.  Peter Laraba, or the Field Museum, did a Master’s Thesis on the material.  It’s glacial material that originates from the Devonian and early Mississippian.
• The 1999 CGMA show was a huge success.  ESCONI provided many volunteers for the setup.
• There was a small ad for the Fossil News Journal of Amateur Paleontology.  They are still around!
• ESCONI was planning for the Flea Market to be held in October 1999.

50 Years Ago – July 1974

• The newsletter had a report of the Memorial Day field trip, which included a day of collecting at the legendary “Goldblatt Mine”, near Pit 1.
• 66 people attended the Memorial Day field trip.
• Rich Rock planned and led the trip, which also went to Pit 11.
• Wheaton College put the Perry Mastodon on display.  The skeleton was discovered in the backyard (Glen Ellyn) of Judge Sam Perry in October, 1963.

70 Years Ago – July 1954

• Harry Peterson did an article about Silversmithing for the newsletter.  Harry made the trilobite bola and pin (Throwback Thursday #174).   These were originally made for ESCONI presidents to wear.
• Fossil Mosquitoes were the subject of a newsletter article by Franklin Wray.  Franklin was Technical Director of the Desplaines Valley Mosquito Abatement District.
• There was a total solar eclipse on June 30th, 1954.  Some ESCONI members traveled to the viewing area after the Milwaukee’s Midwest Federation of Mineralogical and Geological Societies’ (MWFED) Convention.
• There had 311 members in total, 149 were active with 82 juniors and 7 honorary members.