In the 1800s the young Territory of Illinois received an economic boom from the mining of salt and fluorspar. In this edition of WSIU INfocus, Carrier Mills History Teacher Mark Motsinger talks about how these two resources contributed to the growth of Illinois.
To learn more visit the American Flourite Museum on Main Street in Rosiclare. You can also view their website at: http://www.southernillinoismuseums.org/museums/participating-museums/82-the-american-flourite-museum
To learn more about Flourite, visit the website of the Illinois State Geological Survey at:
https://www.isgs.illinois.edu/outreach/geology-resources/fluorite-illinois-state-mineral
Mark Motsinger is a Social Studies and History Teacher at Carrier Mills High School. In March of 2014 Motsinger was recognized Statewide for his efforts at creating awareness of southern Illinois History by being awarded the Olive Foster Outstanding Teacher Award.
