Frederick Byron Plummer (1885-1947) was
a Geologist in the University of Texas Bureau of Economic Geology and Professor
of Petroleum Engineering at the institution from 1928 until his death at the
age of 61. Plummer received his education at Dartmouth College and the
University of Chicago. He worked as a consultant for the Dutch Shell Group and
lectured at Vassar College before coming to teach at Texas. Plummer was best
known for his research on the recovery of salt water in oil wells. Plummer’s
wife Helen Jeanne Plummer was a paleontologist and research scientist in the
University of Texas Bureau of Economic Geology. She was considered an expert on
core samples. Helen died in 1951.
Source: Briscoe Center for American History Vertical File: Plummer,
Frederick Byron
The papers include Plummer's field notes, reports, academic notes,
photographs and negatives and other documents related to his geological
research. Specific subjects include surveys of mineral deposits in McCulloch
County and ways and means of developing them; a field excursion in the San
Saba-Brady region to investigate the geological formations and their
classification; the recovery of salt water in oil wells of East and Northeast
Texas and disposal of salt water from oil; methods and techniques of drilling
for oil; and the modern conception of the geological formation of North
Texas.
Approximately 50 nitrate negatives from the collection are located
in offsite storage due to the volatility of the format.
Unrestricted access.
Negatives from the papers are stored
remotely; advance notice is required for their retrieval. Contact repository
for more information.
Frederick Byron Plummer Papers,
1914-1946, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas
at Austin.
Basic processing and cataloging of this collection was supported with funds from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) for the Briscoe Center’s "History Revealed: Bringing Collections to Light" project, 2009-2011.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Inventory: |
| box |
| 3F343 |
|
|
Field notes: |
|
|
|
|
1922-1943 |
| box |
| 3F344 |
|
|
|
1944-1946 |
|
|
|
|
Undated |
|
|
|
Traverse notes and levels, San Saba County, Texas
|
| box |
| 4M609 |
|
|
Geology courses, Geology 52 and 53, Ore Deposits and
Metals,
1923-1924 |
| box |
| 3J296 |
|
|
Reports, "Petroleum Production Practice," Parts I and II
|
| box |
| 3F345 |
|
|
Reports: |
|
|
|
|
Report on Ordovician of Upper Mississippi Valley,
1920-1921 |
|
|
|
|
New Light On Buried Structures of West Texas,
1928 |
|
|
|
|
Geology of Quitman Valley,
August 21, 1943 |
|
|
|
|
General Lines
Specifications For Portland Cement Concrete, And How It Is
Manufactured |
|
|
|
|
Oil Reservoirs and Salt Domes |
| box |
| 3T81 |
|
|
Photographs and negatives: |
|
|
|
|
Blanco County: |
|
|
|
|
|
Blowout Cavern |
|
|
|
|
|
Hamilton Pool |
|
|
|
|
Burnet County: |
|
|
|
|
|
Marble Falls limestone along fault
escarpment |
|
|
|
|
|
Near view of the limestone conglomerate |
|
|
|
|
|
Close-up view of Indian Bluff Limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Bluff at Marble Falls Alexander Dam site |
|
|
|
|
|
Large blocks of sandstone |
|
|
|
|
|
Marble Falls formation |
|
|
|
|
|
Nodular algal deposits |
|
|
|
|
|
White’s Crossing fault showing steeply tilted strata
on the downthrow side of fault |
|
|
|
|
|
Section through White’s Crossing fault on Bee
Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Map of the Bee Creek district showing geology and
structure of the Carboniferous formations |
|
|
|
|
|
[Sandstone formation] Gibbons ranch |
|
|
|
|
|
Lentil of fine-grained sandstone in Smithwick
formation |
|
|
|
|
|
Block of hard fine grain sandstone |
|
|
|
|
|
Abandoned general store and old Masonic Hall at Old
Smithwick |
|
|
|
|
|
Smithwick Bluff |
|
|
|
|
|
Burnet Asphalt |
|
|
|
|
|
Specimen of asphalt rock |
|
|
|
|
|
Rock formations in Longhorn Cavern |
|
|
|
|
|
Travertine formation |
|
|
|
|
|
Travertine deposits |
|
|
|
|
|
Sketch map showing Holland Spring Area |
|
|
|
|
|
Map of Honey Creek district |
|
|
|
|
|
Cross-section through the algal reef on Honey
Creek |
|
|
|
|
Caldwell County: |
|
|
|
|
|
Calcareous tufa forming in water disposal
streambed |
|
|
|
|
|
Water flowing over concrete tank showing algae and
calcareous tufa |
|
|
|
|
|
Mad cracks in silt deposit |
|
|
|
|
|
Water disposal fountain showing calcareous tufa
covering the rock |
|
|
|
|
|
Near view of rosettes of calcareous tufa covering
rocks |
|
|
|
|
|
Travertine covering rocks |
|
|
|
|
|
Contact of the Midway and Navarro formations on new
Lockhart-Austin road north of Lockhart |
|
|
|
|
Gillespie County: |
|
|
|
|
|
Crustaceans from Hickory sandstone |
|
|
|
|
|
Lange Mill grotto northeast of Doss |
|
|
|
|
|
Calcareous tufa forming in moss-like
rosettes |
|
|
|
|
|
Glen Rose limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Conglomerate beds beneath the Chappel crinoidal
limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Ledges of boulder conglomerate |
|
|
|
|
|
Marble Falls limestone along bluffs of Saline
Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Marble Falls limestone along bluffs of Llano
River |
|
|
|
|
|
Chaetites bed in Marble Falls limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Near view of a single large boulder |
|
|
|
|
|
Ledges of boulder conglomerate along bluff of Rocky
Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Mabry Springs on Slater Ranch |
|
|
|
|
|
Upper ledges of Marble Falls limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Section of carboniferous formations showing
sub-divisions |
|
|
|
|
|
Four miles west of Lampasas on Espey Creek contact
with Ellenburger |
|
|
|
|
|
Pillar Bluff |
|
|
|
|
|
Wilsonoceras |
|
|
|
|
|
Large boulder of Ellenburger Limestone deposited by
floodwaters |
|
|
|
|
|
Tripoli pit on the Wheeler ranch |
|
|
|
|
|
Tripoli pit, close up outcrop |
|
|
|
|
Kimble County |
|
|
|
|
Lampasas County |
|
|
|
|
Llano County: |
|
|
|
|
|
Map of Llano uplift region showing areas of
Carboniferous formations |
|
|
|
|
|
Diagrammatic section across a sink developed in
Ellenburger limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Generalized section of Carboniferous
formations |
|
|
|
|
|
Lower or main Barnett Falls |
|
|
|
|
|
The uppermost spring on Barnett Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
View of travertine limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Llano Field Trip Geology Party |
|
|
|
|
|
Geologic section of Paleozoic and Cretaceous
formations |
|
|
|
|
|
Cascade-Wilburn’s Glen |
|
|
|
|
McCulloch County: |
|
|
|
|
|
Goniatite bed |
|
|
|
|
|
Mississippian-Pennsylvanian Permian |
|
|
|
|
|
Gonetidae from the Pennsylvanian and Permian Strata
of North-Central Texas |
|
|
|
|
|
Sponges of North-Central Texas |
|
|
|
|
|
Single nodule deposit at base of Marble Falls
formation |
|
|
|
|
|
Marble Falls limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Falls Creek above the falls showing pool and
calcareous tufa forming on limestone ledges |
|
|
|
|
|
Peculiar erosion features of water flowing over
limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
View of waterfalls at Hamilton Pool |
|
|
|
|
|
Overhanging resistant limestone ledge at Marble
Falls |
|
|
|
|
|
View of the Waterfalls at the mouth of Falls
Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Close up view of the brink of the falls |
|
|
|
|
|
Falls in Pedernales River |
|
|
|
|
|
Marble Falls formation on Little Brady
Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Marble Falls formation exposed in small
branch |
|
|
|
|
|
Marble Falls limestone exposed along head of small
valley |
|
|
|
|
|
Llano granite on highway between Brady and
Mason |
|
|
|
|
|
Section of rocks exposed on north side of small
creek valley |
|
|
|
|
|
Conglomerate, Rochelle near Onion Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Rochelle conglomerate along the roadside |
|
|
|
|
|
Near view of Rochelle conglomerate in valley near
Williams ranch |
|
|
|
|
|
Basal conglomerate in stream valley near Williams
ranch |
|
|
|
|
|
Basal conglomerate overlying Bend in Valley of Onion
Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Chappel limestone on branch of Brady
Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Chappel limestone lying horizontal |
|
|
|
|
|
Close-up view of the nodular fossiliferous limestone
of Barnett formation in gravel pit |
|
|
|
|
|
Contact of Marble Falls and Barnett
formations |
|
|
|
|
|
Thin bedded flaggy member of the Marble Falls
formation |
|
|
|
|
|
Near view of flaggy shale member of Marble Falls
formation |
|
|
|
|
|
Marble Falls formation exposed in small
Branch |
|
|
|
|
|
Marble Falls formation on Little Brady
Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Map of Davis School District showing geological
structure of the Carboniferous formations |
|
|
|
|
|
Nodular algal deposit at base of Marble Falls
formation |
|
|
|
|
Mason County: |
|
|
|
|
|
Oolite at White Ranch west of Mill Creek
Road |
|
|
|
|
|
Typical Crionid Coquina |
|
|
|
|
|
Bat Cave grotto on the J. A. Eckert
ranch |
|
|
|
|
|
Outcrop of Massive Chappel limestone of
Mississippian age |
|
|
|
|
|
Ledge of Chappel Limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Barnett Shale exposed near head of small branch of
Honey Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Typical slab of crinoidal limestone from the Chappel
Formation |
|
|
|
|
|
Near view of the conglomerate beds beneath the
Chappel crinoidal limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Crinoidal limestone bed in Chappel
formation |
|
|
|
|
|
Smithwick shale overlain by terrace
gravel |
|
|
|
|
|
Generalized columnar section of Mason
County |
|
|
|
|
|
Chappel formation overlying Ellenburger
limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Conglomerate in Ellenburger |
|
|
|
|
|
Outcrop of Barnett formation |
|
|
|
|
|
Basal Chappel (Mississippian) limestone
beds |
|
|
|
|
|
Algaeal reef in Ellenburger limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
White’s Crossing on Llano River |
|
|
|
|
|
Algaeal reef in Honey Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Algaeal reef in Ellenburger limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Conglomerate on south side of Algaeal reef in
Ellenburger limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Fault on Llano River at White’s Crossing |
| box |
| 3T82 |
|
|
|
Milam County: |
|
|
|
|
|
Mr. Atkinson on Milam County peat bog |
|
|
|
|
|
Peat drying on surface of Milam County peat
bog |
|
|
|
|
|
Indian artifact found in peat |
|
|
|
|
|
Cut through peat showing peat profile and location
of Indian artifact |
|
|
|
|
San Saba County: |
|
|
|
|
|
Smithwick shale |
|
|
|
|
|
Marble falls formation of small branch |
|
|
|
|
|
Slab of fossiliferous limestone from Smithwick
formation |
|
|
|
|
|
A Chaetites colony in lower limestone of the
Smithwick formation |
|
|
|
|
|
Close-up view of steeply tilted Marble Falls
limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Steeply tilted Marble Falls limestone in contact
with Barnett shale |
|
|
|
|
|
Travertine deposits along Barnett Springs
Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Water flowing over Travertine deposits |
|
|
|
|
|
Out crop of Barnett shale exposed along
highway |
|
|
|
|
|
Spring arising from joint in Ellenburger
dolomite |
|
|
|
|
|
Travertine deposits on Barnett Springs
Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Barnett shale with included concretionary limestone
bed |
|
|
|
|
|
Falls on Cherokee Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Bluff formed of chalcedony deposits |
|
|
|
|
|
Upper falls and Thalcedony deposits |
|
|
|
|
|
The upper chalcedony layer formed at the upper
falls |
|
|
|
|
|
Chalcedony deposits formed on the surface of
Chalcedony Cliff |
|
|
|
|
|
Travertine forming on the side of a chalcedony
cliff |
|
|
|
|
|
Simpson Creek during flood stage |
|
|
|
|
|
Pioneer home |
|
|
|
|
|
Reservoir on Holdman’s ranch |
|
|
|
|
|
Artesian Well on the W. N. Neely ranch |
|
|
|
|
|
Travertine deposits at Barnett Falls |
|
|
|
|
|
Rattle snake resting quietly in a dry creek
bed |
|
|
|
|
|
McNalley Spring of Kirkpatrick Ranch |
|
|
|
|
|
Brister Springs at Brister Ranch of Rough
Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Concretion containing large nautaloid from Barnett
Shale |
|
|
|
|
|
Sciadiocrinus from the archiocadaris
zone |
|
|
|
|
|
Chappel conglomerate on Julian Mullican
ranch |
|
|
|
|
|
Cryptozooan structure in Ellenburger
limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Algal like structure in upper massive ledge of
Marble Falls limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Unconformity between the Marble Falls limestone and
the lower Smithwick limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Bluff of Marble Falls limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Nearly complete section of Marble Falls
limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
The lower chert bearing beds of Marble Falls
limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Steeply dipping Marble Falls limestone at
fault |
|
|
|
|
|
Cliff of Ellenburger limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Vertical ledges of Marble Falls
limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
McNalley Spring flowing out of joint fracture in
Ellenburger limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Travertine bluff at Wilberna Glen |
|
|
|
|
|
Quarry in Marble Falls limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Close-up view of the algal markings in the mottled
limestone bed |
|
|
|
|
|
Richland Springs Cavern |
|
|
|
|
|
Falls on Barnett Creek, Dalton Ranch |
|
|
|
|
|
Part of the herd of cattle on the Ben Lively
ranch |
|
|
|
|
|
Outcrop of massive Chappel limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Smithwick shale |
|
|
|
|
|
Barnett shale |
|
|
|
|
|
Lower or main Barnett Falls |
|
|
|
|
|
Uppermost Spring on Barnett Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Cryptozooan like structure in travertine |
|
|
|
|
|
Pillar Bluff |
|
|
|
|
|
Espey Creek four miles west of Lampasas Contact with
Ellenburger |
|
|
|
|
|
Chappel on Julian Millican ranch |
|
|
|
|
|
Pennsylvanian on Mr. Kelly’s farm |
|
|
|
|
|
Conglomerate in the bluff north of King Spring
|
|
|
|
|
|
Smithwick – Pennsylvanian |
|
|
|
|
|
Asphalt |
|
|
|
|
|
Branch north of Barnett Springs |
|
|
|
|
|
Marble Falls, Pennsylvanian |
|
|
|
|
|
Neoglyphioceras caneyanum on Homan Ranch |
|
|
|
|
|
Contact of Barnett shale and Marble Falls
formation |
|
|
|
|
|
From China Creek west of China Knob |
|
|
|
|
|
Tracks on slab in Smithwick flagstone from China
Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Outcrop of Barnett shale |
|
|
|
|
|
Close-up of contact of Barnett Shale and Marble
Falls formation |
|
|
|
|
|
Marble Falls formation on San Saba-Chappel
road |
|
|
|
|
|
Marble Falls formation East side of Cherokee
Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Lower member of Marble Falls limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Basal Marble Falls limestone cliff |
|
|
|
|
|
Wallace Spring bend of Wallace Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Tilted ledge of Marble Falls limestone in small
branch of Creek on Harkey ranch |
|
|
|
|
|
Monument at Walnut Springs |
|
|
|
|
|
View of Gorman Falls |
|
|
|
|
|
Ellenburger limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Close-up view of Wallace Spring |
|
|
|
|
|
Lower chert member of Marble Falls
limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Shale layer containing crinoids in lower Marble
Falls limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Kitchen midden on the W bank of Cherokee
Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Small reservoir |
|
|
|
|
|
McNalley homestead on Site of McNalley
Springs |
|
|
|
|
|
Structure on Harkey ranch |
|
|
|
|
|
Distant view of Gorman Falls |
|
|
|
|
|
Upper Cascade at Gorman Falls |
|
|
|
|
|
View of Gorman Falls |
|
|
|
|
|
Pool between cascades and lower Cascade at Gorman
Falls |
|
|
|
|
|
Miles Harris 2nd Spring on Cherokee
Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Gorman Spring |
|
|
|
|
|
Cottonwood Spring |
|
|
|
|
|
Travertine dam on creek below Cottonwood
Spring |
|
|
|
|
|
Cascade over travertine Cliff on Rough
Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Sketch map showing Geology of Barnett Spring
Area |
|
|
|
|
|
Sketch mat showing Geology of Gorman Spring
Area |
|
|
|
|
|
Map of Llano uplift in Central Texas |
|
|
|
|
|
Waterfalls in the Creek below Barnett
Springs |
|
|
|
|
|
Another view of upper cascade at Gorman
Falls |
|
|
|
|
|
Travertine deposits below cliff at Gorman
Falls |
|
|
|
|
|
Near view of some of the spray deposits |
|
|
|
|
|
Travertine and Stalactite deposits at Gorman
Falls |
|
|
|
|
|
View of top of upper Cascade at Gorman
Falls |
|
|
|
|
|
Creek Valley above Blue Pool |
|
|
|
|
|
Falls on Pool branch at Blue pool |
|
|
|
|
|
Travertine on Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Barnett Falls |
|
|
|
|
|
Road crossing on Simpson Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Cottonwood Spring on McCoury Ranch |
|
|
|
|
|
Mile Harris Spring on Cherokee Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Spring at Richland Springs |
|
|
|
|
|
Gorman Spring |
|
|
|
|
|
Massive limestone outcrops |
|
|
|
|
|
Pool at Pool Ranch |
|
|
|
|
|
Monument commemorating Indian Battle |
|
|
|
|
|
Marble Falls on East side of Cherokee
Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Sheep around old homestead at head of Pool
Branch |
|
|
|
|
|
Walnut Springs |
|
|
|
|
|
San Saba Spring |
|
|
|
|
|
Waterfalls on Rough Creek produced by deposits of
travertine |
|
|
|
|
|
Marriage Oak, San Saba, County, Texas |
|
|
|
|
|
Travertine deposits on Rough Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Blue-green algae in creek on Wm. Keeney
ranch |
|
|
|
|
|
Lower travertine falls on a spring
branch |
|
|
|
|
|
Chappel Chert conglomerate on the Dofflemyer
ranch |
|
|
|
|
|
Cryptozooan like structure in Travertine |
|
|
|
|
|
Small anticline in a bluff of Marble Falls
limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Smithwick outcrop along the W bank of Colorado
River |
|
|
|
|
|
Slabs of Siltstone showing trails and marking of
mollusks |
| box |
| 3T83 |
|
|
|
Travis County: |
|
|
|
|
|
Hamilton Pool |
|
|
|
|
|
Water Falls at Hamilton Pool |
|
|
|
|
Uvalde County: |
|
|
|
|
|
Asphalt from Uvalde County |
|
|
|
|
|
Asphalt P-1546 |
|
|
|
|
|
Asphalt rock, Uvalde quarries |
|
|
|
|
|
Asphalt. Upper cretaceous. Plant quarry, Anachicio
Limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Uvalde County asphalt from main quarry at
bottom |
|
|
|
|
|
Plant Quarry (Anacachio limestone) |
|
|
|
|
|
Asphalt from Plant Quarry |
|
|
|
|
Boone County, Kentucky: |
|
|
|
|
|
Cincinnatian
Formation, Ordovician |
|
|
|
|
Correlation Chart—Principal countries of
world |
|
|
|
|
Correlation Chart—Glass Mountains, North Central
Texas |
|
|
|
|
Diagrammatic section across the Capital reef to show
relation of the reef to related facies |
|
|
|
|
Evolution of the horse |
|
|
|
|
R. H. King’s fossils: |
|
|
|
|
|
Sections of Bend, Strawn, and Canyon groups showing
fossil zones |
|
|
|
|
|
Sections of Double Mt, Clear Fork, and Wichita
groups showing fossil zones |
|
|
|
|
Idealized stratigraphic section showing the relation
of the Phosphoria Formation in Wyoming |
|
|
|
|
Map of Mexia, Powell Area, Midway outcrop, Limestone
County |
|
|
|
|
Map of Midway outcrop, Kaufman - Hunt
counties |
|
|
|
|
Map of Wilcox outcrop, Central Texas |
|
|
|
|
Petroleum Engineering: |
|
|
|
|
|
Denoi tensionometer for measuring surface
tensions |
|
|
|
|
|
Oil Sand cores showing effect of capillary action on
water-oil contact |
|
|
|
|
Plates and slides: |
|
|
|
|
|
Choyelids |
|
|
|
|
|
Pachylocrinus uddeni
Moore and Plummer |
|
|
|
|
|
Smithwick
Ammonites |
|
|
|
|
|
Barnett Fauna |
|
|
|
|
|
Chappel Fauna |
|
|
|
|
|
Marble Falls Fauna |
|
|
|
|
Plummer collection |
|
|
|
|
Pew Disposal System showing Skimming Pit |
|
|
|
|
Ramey Water Disposal System, East Texas Oil
Field |
|
|
|
|
Suman Salt Water Disposal System, East Texas Oil
Field |
|
|
|
|
Section of Cisco, Canyon and Strawn Formation showing
ammonite zones |
|
|
|
|
Shale and Limestone, Fayettevill, Arkansas |
|
|
|
|
Shales: |
|
|
|
|
|
Smithwick shale in contact with Marble Falls
limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Smithwick shale on the south bank of the Colorado
River |
|
|
|
|
|
Barnett Shale |
|
|
|
|
|
Barnett Shale exposed at pit |
|
|
|
|
|
Cross-section of a nodule of limestone |
|
|
|
|
|
Barnett Shale exposed along Pillar Bluff
Creek |
|
|
|
|
|
Cryptazoon proliferum |
|
|
|
|
Structure of the Carboniferous Formation: |
|
|
|
|
|
Map of Saline Cree District |
|
|
|
|
|
Generalized section of Carboniferous and Permian
strata |
|
|
|
|
|
Sections of Carboniferous rocks in the Llano
uplift |
|
|
|
|
|
Generalized section of the Carboniferous rocks in
the Llano mountains |
|
|
|
|
Water Disposal Fountain showing calcareous tufa
covering rock: |
|
|
|
|
|
Close up view of tufa showing characteristic algae
markings on tufa |
| box |
| 3F347 |
|
|
|
B. F. Shumard's letter and signature |
|
|
|
|
Unidentified |
|
|
|
Bibliography |
|
|
|
Printed material,
1914-1915, undated |
|
|
|
Charts and graphs, Marble Falls, Texas |
|
|
|
Miscellany |
