Something About Petoskey Stone

Steady rockin’ all night long

Were you aware the Petoskey stone is Michigan's official “state stone” and has been for 55 years? The West Michigan Tourist Association explained the story earlier this year: 

A story appeared in the March 3, 1924, issue of the Battle Creek Enquirer in Battle Creek, Michigan about a large Petoskey stone serving as a paperweight on the desk of Phil Ross of the Central National Bank. 

Fast forward to the spring of 1965. In May, two Michigan State Representatives introduced House Bill 2297 to designate the Petoskey stone as the state’s official stone. It passed. The next month, Michigan Senator Thomas Schweiger (R-Petoskey) introduced a similar bill in the Senate. It passed. Governor George Romney signed it into law June 28.

It wasn’t until 1969 geologist Dr. Edwin C. Stumm, Professor of Geology and Curator of Paleozoic Invertebrates at the University of Michigan, made the formal determination what was thought to be a Petoskey “stone” was actually fossilized colonial coral of the genus and species Hexagonaria percarinata.

Here's the kicker: Michigan law limits the amount of stones collected to 25 pounds per person, per year.