Question
I can't seem to find any information about historic clay mining around the Phoenix area. I would love to read about it. Any suggestions on books or online information? Thank you for any help you can give me! Thanks, Vanessa
Answer
Vanessa,
Great question and not an easy one. Most historic mining reports focus on copper, gold, silver ... Clay goes largely overlooked. Here are some online resources that include discussions on clays in AZ.
Industrial Minerals (includes statewide map showing clay mining? distribution in AZ - p 12-13) http://repository.azgs.az.gov/uri_gin/azgs/dlio/1600
Geology & Mineral Resources of AZ (part v, p. 324) http://repository.azgs.az.gov/sites/default/files/dlio/files/nid1005/bulletin-180_part5.pdf
There is said to an excellent source of pottery clay near Kingman, AZ. You might try the local Chamber of Commerce there.
If you are interested in soils, which frequently include clays, the University of Arizona Press 'Arizona Soils' is online at:
http://www.library.arizona.edu/exhibits/swetc/azso/
For a report on Horseshoe Dam clay in Maricopa County: http://docs.azgs.az.gov/OnlineAccessMineFiles/G-L/HorseshoeDamClayMarico...
I hope this helps.
Mike