Introduction

1

 

 

 

Wildcat Den State Park:  A Historical Perspective

 

 

by Ken Hyman

3

 

 

 

The Demise of Benjamin Nye

 

 

from the Iowa Democratic Enquire, March 6, 1852

9

 

 

 

Devonian Rocks Of Wildcat Den State Park

 

 

by Brian J. Witzke and Bill J. Bunker

11

 

 

 

Pennsylvanian Rock Strata at Wildcat Den State Park, Muscatine County, Iowa

 

 

by Greg A. Ludvigson and Brian J. Witzke

21

 

 

 

Quaternary Geologic History of Wildcat Den State Park

 

 

by E. Arthur Bettis III

29

 

 

 

Archaeology of Wildcat Den State Park, Muscatine County, Iowa

 

 

by Susan R. Snow

33

 

 

 

The Vegetation of Wildcat Den State Park

 

 

by John Pearson

37

 

 

 

Wildlife at Wildcat Den State Park

 

 

adapted from Wildcat Den State Park Ecosystem Management Plan

41

 

 

 

FIELD TRIP STOPS

43

Stop 1:  Introduction to the Natural History of Wildcat Den State Park

45

 

 

 

Stop 2:  Geology and Archaeology of the Rock Shelter North of the Brandt Memorial

 

 

by Susan R. Snow, Greg A. Ludvigson, and Brian J. Witzke

47

 

 

 

Stop 3:  Geology of the Cherokee Group Sandstone at Steamboat Rock Sandstone Bluff and the Archaeology of Graffiti in the “Fat Man’s Squeeze

 

 

by Susan R. Snow, Greg A. Ludvigson, and Brian J. Witzke

49

 

 

 

Stop 4:  Exposure of Caseyville Formation Shale

 

 

by Greg A. Ludvigson and Brian J. Witzke

51

 

 

 

Stop 5:  Cherokee Group Sandstones, Cross-Bedding, and Liesegang at the Devil’s Punchbowl

 

 

Greg A. Ludvigson, Brian J. Witzke, and Robert M. McKay

53

 

 

 

Stop 6:  The Vegetation of Wildcat Den State Park

 

 

by John Pearson

57

 

 

 

Stop 7:  Devonian Strata Exposed Beneath the Bridge on the North End of the North Picnic Area

 

 

Brian J. Witzke and Bill J. Bunker

59

 

 

 

Stop 8:  Exposure of Caseyville Formation Shale Along Pine Creek

 

 

by GregA.  Ludvigson and Brian J. Witzke

61

 

 

 

Stop 9:  Pine Creek Grist Mill, Wildcat Den State Park

 

 

by Ken Hyman and Susan R. Snow

63

 

 

 

Stop 10:  Devonian Strata Exposed Near the Pine Creek Grist Mill

 

 

by Brian J. Witzke and Bill J. Bunker

65

 

 

 

Stop 11.  Selected Elements of the Park’s Quaternary History

 

 

by E. Arthur Bettis III

69

 

 

 

Stop 12.  Continued Discussion of Selected Elements of the Park’s Quaternary History

 

 

by E. Arthur Bettis III

71

 

 

 

Stop 13:  The Nye Cemetery

 

 

by Susan R. Snow and Raymond R. Anderson

73