Morrison Fossil Area
N 39° 40.708 W 105° 11.705
13S E 483269 N 4392089
Jefferson County - First major site for discovery, in 1877, of giant dinosaur fossil bones in North America. The fossils represent nine species, seven of which were newly discovered species. Owner: Municipal, Private
Waymark Code: WMZHD
Location: Colorado, United States
Date Posted: 11/24/2006
Views: 115
In the spring of 1877, a local teacher named Arthur Lakes found large dinosaur bones in the area. His discovery sparked a dinosaur "gold rush" to the Western United States, which revolutionized our knowledge of these animals. Eventually, ten quarries were opened in the now famous Morrison Formation between here and the Town of Morrison. Lakes found the bones of an Allosaurus, two brontosaurs (including an Apatosaurus and Diplodocus), and the first specimen of Stegosaurus, the Colorado State Fossil. The bones were sent to Professor O.C. Marsh a Yale University to describe, but only after Marsh's arch-rival, E.D. Cope of Philadelphia, tried to buy them. Although the bone is difficult to remove from the hard sandstone, some specimens have been successfully extracted and can me seen at the Morrison Natural History Museum. (All text for this waymark was copied from one of the signs posted at the site.)
Park at the parking coordinates listed below. There are two main sites where the features in the posted pictures can be seen. The parking spot is located between the two areas.
At N39 40.708 W105 11.705 The National Natural Landmark sign, the ancient stream channel, the fossilized dinosaur bones, and the dinosaur tracks can be seen.
At N39 40.540 W105 11.570 the concretion and the volcanic ash bed layers can be seen.
Predominate Feature: Fossilized dinosaur bones
Parking/Access Location: N 39° 40.661 W 105° 11.655
Ownership: Other Public Entity
Terrain Rating: 
Admission Charged: no
Landmark's Website: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:At least one photograph personally taken by the Waymarker must be posted.
Visitor should describe the experience of their visit.