written for the August 2025 Brown County, Indiana Historical Society newsletter
After Duncan Campbell’s excellent program (at May’s pitch-in dinner) on the topic of Indiana limestone, some of us are, perhaps, a bit more interested in Brown County stone.
The county’s most characteristic rock is amber-tinted and looks different from Indiana limestone, which is famous for its glowing shades of grey. How are these stones different?
Brown County historian Sam Johnson (1924 – 2000) set out to understand why there is an abrupt change in bedrock when one travels west out of Brown County. In a 1996 Brown County Yesteryears episode, Johnson explains that Brown County stone is older than Bedford limestone. Brown County stone dates back nearly 350 million years before present, while Bedford limestone to the west formed geologically-soon therafter.
We learn from Johnson that beneath our peaceful valley, layers of sedimentary rock tilt downward at a rate of about 30 feet per mile, in a westerly direction. Consequently, surface stone in Brown County is deep underground — under younger rock — further west. For example, surface rock in Brown County is about 600 feet deep 20 miles to the west!
Johnson identifies typical Brown County rock as Borden rock, which includes siltstone, shale, as well as prized local sandstone used in construction.* A high iron content explains its redish-brown hue. Awesome regional history explains this unglaciated bedrock as evidence of an ancient river delta that adjoined an ancient sea that covered the midcontinent for hundreds of millions of years. Sandstone resulted from the sand that settled at the bottom of this ancient sea. Limestone resulted from the billions upon billions of seashells that sank to the ocean’s floor.
In keeping with local custom, the society’s building and grounds showcase local materials such as lumber and stone. The outstanding effort and expertise by local stone masons was recognized at the bulding’s 2015 dedication. The Bay Family was awarded the Grover Brown Award* for helping to “preserve and pass on the traditions and history of Brown County.”
This local family and business were further honored at the dedication with the words, “With the completion of the History Center, we have found a family worthy of this honor. Their work to find the best stone possible and carefully place each piece on the façade and fireplace will be recognized for years to come as an example of the fine craftsmanship carried on by five generations of Brown County stone masons.” Paul, Jimmy, Matt and Kelly Bay were then invited to formally accept recognition for their achievement.
*The Grover Brown Award, for outstanding contributions to Brown County history, was established by the society and named for Grover G. Brown, teacher, principal, and superintendent of Brown County Schools for 32 years. He was committed to teaching his students about the history of their community.