Rucks' Pit
Fort Drum, Okeechobee County, Florida, USA
Key Information
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Rucks' Pit, in Okeechobee County, Florida, USA, is a former quarry now known for calcite crystals in fossilized clams, attracting mineral enthusiasts.
It is located 5 km east of Fort Drum, midway between Orlando and West Palm Beach, in a region once part of the early Pleistocene Atlantic shoreline.
The main minerals are calcite and pyrite, with fossils including mastodons and alligators, offering unexpected insights into ancient marine life.
The site features sedimentary rocks from the late Pliocene and Pleistocene, with layers like the Tamiami Formation, formed in shallow marine conditions.
Mining started in the early 1900s, ceased in 2006, and now operates as Fort Drum Crystal Mine for collecting, with a switch to track hoes in 2001 preserving fossils.
The area has a subtropical climate, rich in wildlife near Lake Okeechobee, and is culturally significant for its historic cemetery and rockhounding tourism.
Geographic Location
Rucks' Pit is situated in Okeechobee County, Florida, approximately 5 km east of Fort Drum, a small community midway between Orlando and West Palm Beach. This location lies along the Osceola Plain, part of the Barrier Island Sequence District, with elevations around 35 feet (10.7 meters), marking the Atlantic shoreline during the early Pleistocene. Nearby, Lake Okeechobee adds to the region's natural allure, though no other major mineral localities are noted in close proximity.
Minerals and Geological Structure
The quarry is renowned for its calcite crystals, often honey-colored and found within fossilized Mercenaria permagna clams, with some crystals exceeding an inch in length. Pyrite (FeS₂) in micro crystals and iron oxide are also present, alongside a diverse array of fossils, including Busycon specimens, other mollusks like Anadara, and vertebrates such as mastodons, mammoths, and alligators. The geological structure consists of sedimentary rocks from the late Pliocene and Pleistocene, with the Tamiami Formation at the base, followed by the Nashua-Caloosahatchee unit, and topped by the Fort Thompson unit, all indicative of a shallow marine environment that once covered the area.
Mining History and Current Status
Mining at Rucks' Pit began in the early 1900s, initially for rock, shell, and sand by the Florida East Coast Railroad. The Rucks family took over in 1959, with operations continuing intermittently until 1977, expanding in 1987. A pivotal change in 2001 saw the cessation of dynamite use, switching to track hoes, which preserved fossil integrity and led to the discovery of intact calcite crystals. Operations ceased in 2006, and the quarry was allowed to flood, but Eddie Rucks, Jr., salvaged productive material to establish the Fort Drum Crystal Mine, which continues to offer fee-based collecting opportunities, limited to one 5-gallon bucket and one additional piece per day.
Local Culture and Climate
Fort Drum, a small town, is culturally enriched by its wildlife management area and historic cemetery, enhancing its appeal for visitors. The Fort Drum Crystal Mine has become a hub for rockhounding tourism, reflecting local interest in geological heritage. The region's subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and mild, dry winters, supports diverse ecosystems, particularly around Lake Okeechobee, though the mineral formation is more tied to ancient marine conditions than current climate.