Jacobsville Sandstone has earned international recognition as a Global Heritage Stone Resource. The designation was awarded by the International Union of Geological Sciences, and UNESCO’s International Geoscience Programme. The sandstone bed is one of the first 15 Global Heritage Stone Resources in the world, and the first in the United States.
The unique red and white strata along the Keweenaw Peninsula north of the lower entrance were formed from river sands that eroded from mountains a billion years ago. The resulting sandstone was used to build many historic buildings in the Keweenaw, and was exported for construction across the continent.
GHSR designations are aimed to promote increased community, national and international awareness of natural stone and its widespread utilization in human culture.