Humboldt County - List of Quarries, Etc.*

• Arcata (near), Humboldt County, California – Isaac Minor Granite Quarry (Granite) (Excerpt from Report XIV of the State Mineralogist - Mines and Mineral Resources of Portions of California, Chapters of State Mineralogist's Report - Biennial Period 1913-1914, Part III. "The Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino," by Walter W. Bradley, Field Assistant (field work in August, 1913), California State Mining Bureau, San Francisco, California, 1916, pp. 371-425.)

  "Isaac Minor Quarry. This quarry consists of granite suitable for building purposes and is situated on Warren Creek which is a tributary of Mad River in T. 6 N., R. 1 E. Although the rock is suitable for building purposes, yet granite used in the county for such purposes as monuments is imported from other parts of California. There is so little construction going on in the county that requires a good building stone that the quarries, or rather the prospective quarries, have not been developed. The only rock being used at present is that used for road metal and for the federal work on the harbor jetty."

  • Arcata (near), Humbodt County, California – the Isaac Minor Granite Quarry (Granite) (from The Timberman, Vol. 16, No. 10, August 1915, M. Freeman Publications, Portland, Oregon, pp. 62.  (This magazine is available on Google Books.)

    “The landing apron which has been used at the south jetty has been transferred across the entrance to Humboldt Bay to the north spit.  The next transfer will be that of the gallows frame and counterweights, and as soon as these have been set up on the mainland of the north spit the apron will be placed permanently in position.  It has been announced that the north jetty is to be built of Humboldt granite, procured from the Warren Creek quarries belonging to I. Minor, who formerly operated the Minor Mill & Lumber Co.’s plant at Glendale.  The Pacific Engineering Co., rock contractors for the Humboldt jetty work, procured the rock for the south jetty from Jacoby Creek, but it has been decided to make the north spit of the granite, which will be delivered by rail to Bucksport, directly opposite the jetty.  From there it will be taken on rock barges.  Kenneth McAlpine has resigned as superintendent of the Pacific Engineering Co., and will be succeeded by H. K. McJunklin, who held the position before it was taken over by McAlpine.”

  • Arcata (near), Humboldt County, California – Isaac Minor’s “Granite Mountain Rock Quarry Railroad” (aka the Warren Creek Railroad)  The following snippet is from The Western Railroader, for The Western Railfan, Vols. 21-22, Northern California Railroad Club, California, Nevada Railroad Historical Society, Railway & Locomotive Historical Society, Railroad Boosters, San Francisco, F.A. Guido, 1957, on Google Books.

    “...Isaac Minor started construction in 1912 on his Granite Mountain Rock Quarry Railroad, later known as the Warren Creek Railroad.”

  • Arcata (near), Humboldt County, California – Granite from the Isaac Minor Granite Quarry used to construct the I. Minor Mausoleum  (from Thomas Minor, descendants, 1608-1981, by John A. Miner, 1981.  (A snippet of this book is available on Google Books.)

    According to Thomas Minor, Descendants, 1608-1981, in the John A. Miner (sic) section:  “She died in Aracata, Homboldt Co., California.  Isaac died 11 December 1916.  Both are buried in the Miner Mausoleum, Greenwood Cemetery in Arcata.  It was constructed of granite from Isaac’s own quarry and under his supervision….”

    You can view a photograph of the I. Minor Mausoleum in Greenwood Cemetery, Arcata, California, by Julia.Green.67on Panoramio.com.

  • Arcata (near), Humboldt County, California – the Isaac Minor Granite Quarry (Granite)  (from Logging the Redwoods, by Lynwood Carranco and John T. Labbe, 4th ed., reprint, Caxton Press, 1975, ISBN0870043730, 9780870043734, pp. 94.  (This portion of the book is available on Google Books.)

    Logging the Redwoods includes a short description of Isaac Minor’s life and photographs of him and of the Minor Mill & Lumber Co. at Glendale, near the Mad River, late 1880s.  (The photographs are from the Humboldt State University.)

    “In 1875 he (Isaac Minor) sold his interest in these (lumber) mills to his sons and moved north to Mad River, where he continued his lumbering activities.  He also had interests…a granite quarry…He became one of the wealthiest men in California….He died at Arcata on December 11, 1915….”

  • Arcata (near), Humboldt County, California – Isaac Minor Quarry (Granite)  (The following snippet is from The American West, Vols. 12-13, Western History Association, Buffalo Bill Historical Center, American West Publishing Company, 1975, pp. 37. (The below snippet is available on Google Books.)

    “The Isaac Minor quarry was a monument to the dedication of a single man. Minor, nearing the end of his life and wealthy beyond his needs, imported Italian quarrymen to Humboldt County to split and section the huge granite boulder shown….”

  • Arcata (near), Humboldt County, California – Isaac Minor Quarry (Granite)  (The following excerpt is from Fine California Views:  the Photographs of A. W. Ericson, by Peter E. Palmquist, Interface California Corporation, Eureka, 1975, pp. 94.

    (photo caption)  “The Isaac Minor quarry was a monument to the dedication of a single man, Minor, nearing the end of his life and wealth beyond his needs, imported Italian quarrymen to Humboldt County to split and section the huge granite boulder shown above for use in the construction of his mausoleum.  To provide transport for the stone from the quarry to the cemetery to Arcata, a special railroad spur was added to the Arcata and Mad River Railroad, and the huge blocks of stone were shipped to the construction site.  Upon completion of the edifice, Minor survived the burial of many of his kin, only to die on a trip outside the area.  He is believed to be the only member of his family not buried in the tomb.”

  • Arcata Area, Humboldt County, California – Isaac Minor & brothers – “The Four Minor brothers All contributed to area development” and other related articles (pdf), in The Humboldt Historian, Vol. 37, No. 2, May-June 1989)  (Other articles in this publication that relate to Isaac Minor and his family include:  “Minors to pay tribute to Isaac:  Sixth biennial reunion to focus on leading role in community affairs” and  “Old theatre keeps Minor name alive.”)
  • Arcata (near), Humboldt County, California – Isaac Minor’s “Granite Mountain Rock Quarry Railroad”  (from California Railroads: An Encyclopedia of Cable Car, Common Carrier, Horsecar, Industrial Interurban, Logging, Monorail, Motor Road, Shortlines, Streetcar, Switching, and Terminal Railroads in California (1851-1992), by Alvin A. Fickewirth, Golden West Books, 1992, ISBN 0870951068, 9780870951060, pp. 82.  (This snippet is available on Google Books.)

    “…Isaac Minor built a mill on Warren Creek…Operated under the name Granite Mountain Rock Quarry Railroad.  Ceased operations in 1917….”

  • Arcata (near) Humboldt County, California – the Isaac Minor Granite Quarry & Mausoleum – Photographs from the Humboldt State University Library, Special Collections. The photographs below were taken by A. W. Ericson of Arcata. (Used with Permission.  Humboldt State University Library, Special Collections)

    “Isaac Minor’s Granite Quarry, near Arcata, California”; Palmquist Collection; Author/Creator: Ericson;  Photo ID:2003.01.3148; Source: Waters Collection; Region: 04 - Arcata to Blue Lake to Korbel

    “Isaac Minor’s Granite Quarry, near Arcata”; Palmquist Collection; Author/Creator: Ericson; Photo ID:2003.01.2782; Source:  Lundberg Collection; Region: 04 - Arcata to Blue Lake to Korbel

    “Minor’s Quarry”; Palmquist Collection; Author/Creator: Ericson; Photo ID: 2003.01.2781; Region: 00 - Location not specified; Source:  Lundberg Collection”

    “Mechanical workings at Minor’s mining operation”; Comments:  “Probably at Minor’s Quarry per Margaret Wooden in 2006”; Ericson Collection; Photo ID:  1999.02.0053; Date: unknown; Region: 04 - Arcata to Blue Lake to Korbel

    “Breaking up large boulders in a quarry”;  Comments:  “Possibly in Warren Creek area.  Possibly Minor’s Quarry”; Ericson Collection; Photo ID :1999.02.0176; Date: unknown; Region: 04 - Arcata to Blue Lake to Korbel; “Minor’s Granite Quarry, near Arcata, Cal. under lease to Jas. Grieg”  Alternate Title:  “A well dressed man and two workers sitting on top of broken boulders”; Palmquist Collection; Photo No.:  “2003.01.2780 and 1999.02.0176 are the same image…Lundberg Collection”

    “Minor’s quarry, hauling rock to jetty/unknown”; Ericson Collection; Photo ID: 1999.02.0286; Date: unknown; Region: 04 - Arcata to Blue Lake to Korbel

    “Rock train from Minor’s Quarry”; Comments:  “Engine #11 - Oregon & Eureke (Eureka) Rail Road. First title is not accurate.”; Ericson Collection; Photo ID:  1999.02.0346; Date: unknown; Region: 04 - Arcata to Blue Lake to Korbel

    “Isaac Minor’s Granite Quarry, near Arcata, California”; Palmquist Collection; Author/Creator: Ericson; Photo ID:2003.01.3147; Region: 04 - Arcata to Blue Lake to Korbel

    “Arcata Wharf, Humboldt County, California; Arcata Wharf, with Steamer Alta and Schooners Mary Buhne, Hays, Eva, Enterprise, Bertie Minor, Esther Buhne and Elnorah”; Alternate Title:  “Ferry on Humboldt Bay moving past six ships docked at the Arcata Wharf”;  Palmquist Collection; Author/Creator: Ericson; Photo No. 2003.01.3110; Region: 04 - Arcata to Blue Lake to Korbel

    “Glendale Mill, Humboldt Co., California.  Isaac Minor, Owner”; Alternate title:  “Train crossing over a bridge carrying processed lumber”;  Palmquist Collection; Author/Creator: Ericson; Photo No. 2003.01.3146;  Source:  Waters Collection; Region: 04 - Arcata to Blue Lake to Korbel

  • Below are photographs of Isaac Minor’s mausoleum in Arcata. These Photographs are a part of the Humboldt State University Library, Special Collections. (Used with Permission. Humboldt State University Library, Special Collections)

    “Granite from Isaac Minor’s Quarry, Arcata, California”; “Construction of Mausoleum in Arcata’s cemetery”; Palmquist Collection; Author/Creator: Ericson; Photo ID: 2003.01.2795; Source: Lundberg Collection; Region: 04 - Arcata to Blue Lake to Korbel

    “Granite from Isaac Minor’s Quarry, Arcata, California”; Palmquist Collection; Author/Creator: Ericson; Photo ID:2003.01.2796; Region:04 - Arcata to Blue Lake to Korbel

    “Five workers standing in front of Isaac Minor's mausoleum”  Collection: Palmquist; Photo ID: 2003.01.3284; Author/Creator: Ericson; Date: Title:Alt Title: [Five workers standing in front of Isaac Minor’s mausoleum]; Names: Subjects: Arcata; Cemeteries; Construction & repair;  People Author’s Number: Region:04 - Arcata to Blue Lake to Korbel. Comments: ppC716; Source:  Dilling Collection

    “Minor’s Mausoleum Material from his own Granite Quarry, at Arcata, California, James Greig, Builder”; Alternate title:  “Completed Minor mausoleum in the Arcata cemetery”; Palmquist Collection; Author/Creator: Ericson; Photo No. 2003.01.3149; Source:  Waters Collection, Dilling Collection; Region: 04 - Arcata to Blue Lake to Korbel

  • Arcata (near), Humboldt County, California – “Isaac Minor’s Granite Quarry (near Arcata),” (history and photographs) on Lynette's NorCal History Blog.

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