Tyndall Stone: Urban Planning Rocks!

For the past several years, I’ve been plagued by visions of ancient creatures almost anywhere I go. Should I see a doctor? No -- a paleontologist is all I need. What in the world am I talking about? Tyndall Stone, of course!

Once you’ve noticed it, you’ll see this rock everywhere. Since the 1800s, Tyndall Stone has been supplied by Gillis Quarries from Garson, Manitoba. This mottled white-grey limestone (which sort of looks like moldy bread) was used to build many, many buildings in Edmonton and all across Canada, including the Tory Building, the Rutherford Library, Edmonton City Hall and the Banff Springs Hotel to name a few. 

The ancient creatures I’ve been seeing? Fossils from the Paleozoic Era, when Manitoba was covered by a tropical sea 450 million years ago. Marine life like snails, trilobites, coral and brachiopods were trapped in layers of calcite and dolomite sediment, fossilizing over hundreds of millions of years. Now, these fossils can be seen wherever Tyndall Stone was installed! Next time you’re studying in Tory or walking through City Hall, try to spot gastropods, corals or even nautilus shell fossils. Thanks to Tyndall Stone, a part of Canada’s geologic history is on display for all to see.

-Written by Elise Beaton