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Francis Ranch, unit E

Meagher County, Montana
Directions
Next site in MontanaSixteenmile Creek, south fork · 13 mi

Can I collect here?

Pro
See who owns this land and whether it is claimedPro shows the owner, the claim on this spot and every claim within a mile.
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Based on our latest records, with claims updated from the BLM on Oct 9, 2026. Land and claims can change quickly, so check before you go.

Minerals on record here

1 mineral

Recorded here: fossil.

Nearby sites

All of Montana
13 miSixteenmile Creek, south forkFossil17 miHorseshoe HillsShale, trilobite fossil23 miBigler GroupGold

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About Francis Ranch, unit E

Francis Ranch, unit E is a fossil collection site in Meagher, Montana, cataloged in the Paleobiology Database. Fossils here come from the Sappington Formation, dated to the Late Famennian (365.2–358.86 million years ago). The depositional environment is recorded as marine indet. Documented finds include Philhedra rowleyi, Syringothyris, Crurithyris, Rhipidomella missouriensis.

Geologic setting

Formation
Sappington
Geologic interval
Late Famennian
Age
365.2–358.86 Ma
Depositional environment
marine indet.
Recorded occurrences
4
Locality notes

se1/4 sec.12 t5n r5e, Maudlow Quad.

Fossils found here

Philhedra rowleyi
Craniata · Craniidae
Syringothyris
Rhynchonellata · Syringothyrididae
Crurithyris
Rhynchonellata · Ambocoeliidae
Rhipidomella missouriensis
Rhynchonellata · Rhipidomellidae

Records and references

Data: Paleobiology Database collection 7124 (CC BY 4.0) — view the source record

Getting there

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Questions about Francis Ranch, unit E

Can you collect at Francis Ranch, unit E?

It depends on who owns the land and whether a mining claim covers it. BLM land usually allows hand collecting for personal use, national parks allow none, and private land needs the owner’s permission. Pro members see the owner and any claims at this spot.

What minerals are found at Francis Ranch, unit E?

Fossil.

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Meteorite nearbyA 7 kg iron meteorite was found at Lombard in 1953, 19 miles from here.

Source: Paleobiology Database.