Recommendation for ballast for the steam era

My small layout is set into the steam era, 1943ish.   It is a small short line on the shores of Lake Michigan.  

I am looking for a recommendation on ballast.  

1) most ballast around Michigan seems to be a lighter color, was it the same back then?  Did steam locomotives darken the color?

2) my layout will be set in early winter, so on the shores of make Michigan it will be mostly covered in snow.  Not sure if it matters much on the ballast I choose 

3) this is a short line, and lots of  maintenance was put on the back burner.   

Any pics would be great!