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Home > California > CA - Quarry Links & Photographs > San Diego County > List of Stone Quarries
(* Please note this list does not include sand, gravel, or decomposed granite quarries.)
No. 2 on "Figure 1. Index map of San Diego County granite quarries," located in the Bernardo District of San Diego County, produced a black stone. First year of production was 1921, last year of production was 1924.
No. 6 on "Figure 1. Index map of San Diego County granite quarries," located in the Bernardo District of San Diego County, produced a black stone. First year of production was 1921, last year of production was 1925.
Figure 1. Index map of San Diego County granite quarries" No. 6 on "Figure 1. Index map of San Diego County granite quarries," located in the Bernardo District of San Diego County, produced a black stone" First year of production was 1923, last year of production was 1923.
"About 4 ½ miles northwest of Borrego Springs, Secs. 2 and 3, T. 11 S., R. 7 E., is an outcrop of limestone on which claims have been located by Dr. D. B. Northrup, 771 Twenty-second street, San Diego, and T. A. Eckert."
"Borrego Springs deposit is in secs. 2 and 3, T. 11 S., R. 7 E., S.B., 4 ½ miles from Borrego Springs. This is within the present boundaries of Borrego State Desert Park."
"San Diego Desert Marble Company owns several claims in T. 16 S., R. 9 E., S. B. M., on the most eastern extremity of the Coyote Mountains, Colorado Desert. Many blocks measuring from 10 to 20 feet in diameter have been taken out, ready for transportation, from two quarries. The marble is fine-grained and exceptionally hard, usually of a gray or black and white color, with strata of pink, yellowish, and reddish marble. Nothing but assessment work has been done."
"San Diego Desert Marble Company owns several claims in T. 16 S., R. 9 E., S. B. M., on the most eastern extremity of the Coyote Mountains, Colorado Desert. Many blocks measuring from 10 to 20 feet in diameter have been taken out, ready for transportation, from two quarries. The marble is fine-grained and exceptionally hard, usually of a gray or black and white color, with strata of pink, yellowish, and reddish marble. Nothing but assessment work has been done."
"Near Deer Park, in Sec. 1, T. 15 S., R. 4 E., are two claims, located on white marble, known as North Glacier and South Glacier, controlled by C. P. Hayes, Wm. A. Berkey and Zoe Beyers Vernon. This interest is represented by G. T. Vernon, 523 Timken Building, San Diego, and J. G. Beyers, of Descanso. It is at present intended to undertake the manufacture of lime, bringing the product to San Diego by motor truck."
"Deer Park limestone deposit is 6 miles northeast of Descanso, in sec. 12, T. 15 S., R. 4 E., S.B. Many years ago white crystalline limestone was quarried from a lens 15 feet thick and burned in a kiln nearby for local use when gold mining was active on the adjacent Rancho Cuyama, now a state park."
"Deer Park limestone deposit is 6 miles northeast of Descanso, in sec. 12, T. 15 S., R. 4 E., S.B. Many years ago white crystalline limestone was quarried from a lens 15 feet thick and burned in a kiln nearby for local use when gold mining was active on the adjacent Rancho Cuyama, now a state park."
"Dos Cabezas limestone deposits are in secs. 22, 23, 26, 27, T. 16 S., R. 8 E., S. B., about 1 ½ miles north of Dos Cabezas siding on the San Diego & Arizona Railroad.
"Beds of white crystalline limestone varying in thickness from 20 to 100 feet (Tucker 25c, p. 370)* are said to extend at intervals for a length of 1 mile with a strike of N. 30 W. and over a width of three-quarters of a mile. The limestone has been intruded by granitic rock and has some schist layers. It has been changed to marble of fine grain in some layers but the largest outcrop is a coarsely crystalline white limestone reported to carry 98 percent CaCO3, and occurring on a hill 800 feet high. These deposits are idle and undeveloped, so far as known."
(* W. Burling Tucker, "Los Angeles field division, San Diego County," California Min. Bur. Rept. 21, pp. 325-382, ills., 1925)
"About 4 ½ miles northeast of Dos Cabezas Springs, Sec. 21, T. 16 S., R. 8 E., are two claims covering a deposit containing two colors of marble, and belonging to the Golden State Mining and Marble Company, C. A. Walker, president, Watts Building, San Diego. One stratum, extending about 600 feet in length and 20 feet in width, is pure white, interspersed with tiny black dots. This marble is of high grade, fine grained, slightly harder than common marble and takes a high polish. Adjoining this stratum is one of light gray blue over 600 feet in length and about 180 feet in width. This is of the same quality as the white and black dotted, and is well suited for interior decoration, as in corridors and panels. This deposit lies about 1 mile from the San Diego and Arizona Railroad, but must await the completion of that line."
"Golden State marble deposits were located years ago by a company of this name in sec. 21, T. 16 S., R. 8 E., S.B., within a mile of the line of the San Diego and Arizona Railroad. A bed of white marble outcrops 600 feet in length by 20 feet in width (Merrill 16a, p. 674)* and a gray-blue bed has a width of 180 feet and length of 600 feet.
"The company once had larger holdings of marble a few miles east in Imperial County, but never developed any of its deposits."
(* Frederick J. H. Merrill, "Imperial County," California Div. Mines Rept. 14, pp. 637-722, illus., 1916 )
"Heathman quarry, R. W. Heathman, owner, San Diego (in 1939), is in sec. 27, T. 16 S., R. 8 E., S.B., 1 mile north of Dos Cabezas siding. Thirty tons of white limestone was mined by open pit in 1939 from a deposit 10 feet wide."
"Dehesa Quarry, N. Kessler and Marion Powers, Dehesa, owners. On the north side of the Sweetwater River, a few miles east of El Cajon, is a large mass of gabbro, portions of which are orbicular and are highly ornamental on a polished surface. This rock is mentioned in the XIth Annual Report of the State Mining Bureau, page 95, by H. W. Fairbanks. The orbicular rock was first discovered by Marion Powers, of Dehesa. Prof. A. C. Lawson, of the University of California, gave a short description of it in 'Science' (Vol. XV, p. 415), and a more extended description of it in Bulletin No. 17, Vol. III, Department of Geology, University of California. See also Bulletin 37, 'Gems, Jewelers' Materials, and Ornamental Stones,' State Mining Bureau. W. H. Kessler and W. R. Hamilton, of Stanford University, made a study of this rock and published an excellent illustrated description of it in the American Geologist for September, 1904. The Mining Bureau is indebted to these gentlemen and to the American Geologist for the cuts of the orbicular gabbro shown in this Bulletin.."
Ill. No. 22. Boulder of Orbicular Gabbro. |
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| Ill. No. 23. Section of Orbicular Gabbro, Showing General Appearance. White minerals are feldspars. Dark minerals are olivines, hornblendes and hypersthenes. Thickness, about 2 mm. Natural size. |  |
| Ill. No. 24. Orbicular Diorite Mine, Dehesa, San Diego County-Near View of Outcrop. |  |
"The gabbro occurs apparently as an intrusive boss in the midst of the granites. It outcrops over an area of about a square mile on the hill at Dehesa, and it is said by Fairbanks to extend 4 or 5 miles southeast. The hill on which it occurs extends about 1200 feet above the river and 1800 feet above sea level. On the slopes in the central portion of the gabbro mass there are scattered boulders of the orbicular rock. The boulders vary in size, some of the larger ones being several feet in diameter. The orbicular rock has not been found in place…."
"The orbicular gabbro is adapted to interior decoration, because of its variegated texture and coloring. Without being gaudy or bizarre, it has a rich coloring and a unique configuration that will catch and please the eye…."
"The number and size of the boulders scattered over the surface indicate that there is considerable stone here for commercial purposes, and exploitation may at any time reveal the rock in place. If it should be found in place in sufficient quantities to furnish a constant supply to the market, and to fill any orders in reasonable time, it ought to readily find a place among ornamental stones. It is almost unknown as a commercial product, so that architects would be slow to use it until assured that it is obtainable in quantity.
"Orbicular gabbro occurs elsewhere in California. There is a specimen in the museum of State Mining Bureau from Rattlesnake Bar, El Dorado County, which was sent in by John Muir, and labeled "Orbicular Diorite (Napoleonite)…."
"Orbicular granite is said to occur in Rhode Island and in Ontario, but so far as known, no commercial use has been made of it in either place. The same is true of the locality in Davie County, North Carolina."*
(* Footnote: Orbicular gabbro, diorite from Davie County, N. C., by Thos. L. Watson, Journal of Geol., Vol. XII, p. 294.)
"About 6 miles east of El Cajon on the north bank of the Sweetwater River, and about 1 mile west of Dehesa, in Section 14, T. 16 S., R. 1 E., is a large mass of gabbro, portions of which have an orbicular structure and show a highly ornamental surface when polished.
"This gabbro is intrusive in the midst of the granite. It outcrops over an area of about a square mile on the hill near Dehesa and extends 3 or 4 miles southeast. The hill on which it occurs rises about 1,800 feet above sea level. On the slopes, in the central portion of the gabbro mass, the orbicular rock occurs in scattered boulders, which vary in size, some of the larger ones being several feet in diameter. It has not, however, been found in place.
"There are three varieties of this orbicular rock, based on variations in its texture. In the most common variety, an outer ring of feldspar surrounds a nucleus consisting of a crystalline aggregate, much like the ground mass of the rock. Another variety consists of spheroidal bodies showing neither concentric nor radial structure. These appear to be harder and of firmer texture than the surrounding material and, on the disintegration of the rock by weathering, rounded balls remain like pebbles in the residuum. The third variety has both radial and concentric structure.
"The rock consists of plagioclase, feldspar, anorthite, hornblende, hypersthene and iron oxide. It varies considerably in texture outside of the spheroids, some portions of the mass being rather finely crystalline and others quite coarsely crystalline. Some of the hornblende crystals, in place along joint planes, are several inches in length. The basic character of the orbicular portions is shown by the analysis of an orbule.
Analysis of an Orbule of the Gabbro by Jas. W. Howson.*
(Page 675 footnote 1: Univ. of Ca. Dept. of Geol. Bull. No. 17, Vol. III, p. 394.)
Analysis of the Feldspar of the Gabbro by W. T. Schaller.*
(* Page 675 footnote 2: Bull. 38, p. 59.)
"This analysis indicates anorthite or lime feldspar.
"This orbicular gabbro is adapted to interior decoration, because of its variegated texture and color. Without being gaudy or bizarre, it has a rich coloring and a unique configuration that should catch and please the eye.
"No definite estimate can be made of the quantity of this stone now available. It is seen only in boulders, and these form but a small per centage of the boulders on the hillside. Their occurrence is such as to leave one in doubt as to whether they came from a single dike-like portion of the mass, or from several separated portions. The number and size of the boulders scattered over the surface indicate that there is considerable stone here available for commercial purposes, and exploration may reveal the rock in place. If it should be found in sufficient quantity to furnish a constant supply to the market, and to fill orders in a reasonable time, it ought to readily find a place among ornamental stones. Since it is almost unknown as a commercial product, architects would be slow to specify it until assured that it is obtainable in quantity.
"This gabbro area was first mentioned by Fairbanks, R. XI, p. 85. The orbicular rock was first discovered by Marion Powers, of Dehesa. Professor A. C. Lawson, of the University of California, gave a short description of it in Science, Vol. XV, page 415, and a more extended one in Bull. No. 17, Vol. III, Dept. of Geol., Univ. of Cal. W. H. Kessler and W. R. Hamilton, of Stanford University, made a study of this rock and published an excellent illustrated description of it in the American Geologist for September, 1904. See Bull. Nos. 37 and 38, State Mining Bureau.
"The deposit is controlled by N. Kessler and Marion Powers, of Dehesa."
No. 7 on "Figure 1. Index map of San Diego County granite quarries," located in the Escondido District of San Diego County, produced a black stone, trade name "Ebony Black granite." First year of production was 1923, last year of production was 1936.
(Operator) National Quarries; (Address) 923 Park Hill Dr., Escondido; (Location) Escondido.
Mine name: National Quarries; Operator: National Quarries; Address & County: P. O. Box 1330, Perris, CA 92572, San Diego County; Phone: (619) 726-6248; Latitude: 33.23, Longitude: -117.02, and Mine location number: Map No. 630; Mineral commodity: Stone.
No. 15 on "Figure 1. Index map of San Diego County granite quarries," located in the Escondido District of San Diego County, produced a black stone, trade name "Black Diamond Granite." First year of production was 1936, last year of production was 1948.
| Figure 3. Gang saw with partly completed cuts in black granite boulder. Pacific Cut Stone and Granite Company quarry, Escondido. |  |
| Figure 4. View of quarry with residual boulders in place and stockpiles for gang saw processing. Sawed slabs in foreground. Pacific Cut Stone and Granite Company quarry, Escondido. |  |
(Operator) Pacific Cut Stone & Granite Co.; (Address) 414 S. Marengo Ave., Alhambra; (Location) Escondido.
No. 7 on "Figure 1. Index map of San Diego County granite quarries," located in the Escondido District of San Diego County, produced a black stone. First year of production was 1924, last year of production was 1924.
No. 19 on "Figure 1. Index map of San Diego County granite quarries," located in the Escondido District of San Diego County. The trade name was formerly "Superior Black granite" and the present trade name (circa 1950) was "Crystal Black Granite."
(Operator) John Striburg (deceased); (Address) Box 115, Escondido; (Location) Escondido.
No. 21 on "Figure 1. Index map of San Diego County granite quarries," located in the Escondido District of San Diego County, produced a black stone, trade name "Escondido Black granite." First year of production was 1944, last year of production was 1948.
(Operator) Valley Granite Co.; (Address) 243 E. Fifth St., Escondido; (Location) Escondido.
"A. E. Babcock, Lawyer's Block, Fourth and E streets, San Diego. At Foster, the terminus of the San Diego, Cuyamaca and Eastern Railway, granite is quarried for rubble and shipped to the San Diego breakwater. A spur is run from the railway into the quarry, which is located near the railway station, and the rock loaded by derrick directly on the cars."
"Andrew Lehnberg, of Foster, operates a quarry on El Cajon Grant, west of Foster, and about 600 yards south of the Simpson-Pirnie quarry. This is also biotite granite. He also operates a quarry of dark green rock near Lakeside, which Dr. A. S. Eakle has identified as diorite. This material is derived from boulders, no ledge having yet been opened."
"Dr. A. S. Eakle's determination of (this rock) is as follows:….
"Lehnberg, Foster. Biotite-granite. Light gray granite. A thin section shows much quartz and orthoclase, a small amount of plagioclase and brown biotite. Grains of magnetite occur."
Located in the Foster District of San Diego County, produced a gray stone. First year of production was 1912 (?), last year of production is not known.
"Simpson-Pirnie Granite Company, James Simpson, president, Peter C. Pirnie, secretary. Office and works. Two quarries are worked."
"A second quarry of light gray fine-grained granite, controlled by this company (circa 1914), is about 1 ½ miles west of Foster, in the E. ½ of SE. ¼, Sec. 35, T. 14 S., R. 1 W. The product is used for monuments and paving blocks, the annual output being about 3,000 cubic feet of dimension stone and 100,000 paving blocks."
"Dr. A. S. Eakle's determination of (this rock) is as follows:….
"Pirnie-Simpson, Foster. Light gray fine grained granite. A thin section shows much hornblende and orthoclase, little biotite and plagioclase. Some magnetite. The orthoclase is somewhat kaolinized."
"San Diego Granite Works, corner Eleventh and M streets, San Diego, Fred Fickas, proprietor…It now uses stone from the Simpson-Pirnie quarry west of Foster and from Lehnberg's quarry near Lakeside (circa 1914)…."
(For a description of the second quarry operated by this company, see:
Santee Station (near), San Diego County, California - Simpson-Pirnie Granite Company Quarry below.)
(Operator) Southern California Granite Co.; (Address) 3845 Imperial Ave., San Diego 13; (Location) Foster.
"Mrs. W. S. Waterman, Hawthorn and Albatross streets, San Diego. The quarry is in the cañon about a mile west of Foster. The granite is hauled by wagon to Foster, where it is loaded on cars for shipment. The product is used for building and monument stone. The four Government buildings at Fort Rosecrans, on Point Loma, erected in 1903-04, are constructed of granite from this quarry. The stone is light-colored and very fine-grained, bordering on a felsite in places."
"The old Waterman quarry lies 1 ¼ miles northeast of Foster, near the road to Ramona, in E. ½ of SW. ¼ of Sec. 30, T. 14 S., R. 1 E. It is now owned by Mrs. Emma Cartwright, of Foster, and worked by James and John Grant, of the same place. The rock is a biotite granite, and was used for the Government buildings at Fort Rosecrans."
"Dr. A. S. Eakle's determination of (this rock) is as follows:….
"Waterman, Foster. Granite. A thin section shows quartz, orthoclase, a little plagioclase, some biotite in stringers, very small hornblende, chlorite and magnetite. The orthoclase is slightly kaolinized."
Located in the Foster District of San Diego County, produced a gray stone. First year of production was 1903, last year of production was 1904.
"The old quarry east of the station, owned by Joseph Foster, of Foster and San Diego, is now idle (circa 1914). Until recently, it was leased by the Pacific Electric Railroad Company which quarried paving blocks there."
This quarry was located in the Grossmont District of San Diego County. First year of production was 1913, last year of production was 1915.
Located in the Grossmont-La Mesa District of San Diego County, produced a gray stone. First year of production was 1908 (?), last year of production is unknown.
Located in the Grossmont District of San Diego County, produced a gray stone. First year of production was 1912 (?), last year of production is unknown.
"South of Grossmont station is a small quarry on land owned by E. Fletcher, of San Diego, and operated by the Pacific Electric Railway Company for paving blocks. The rock is a hornblende, biotite granite and cleaves into rectangular blocks of great regularity."
"Dr. A. S. Eakle's determination of (this rock) is as follows:….
"Pacific Electric Railway Company. Grossmont. Light gray hornblende-biotite-granite. A thin section shows much plagioclase and orthoclase, large plates of biotite and hornblende and some magnetite."
"Near Jacumba, Sec. 2, T. 18 S., R. 8 E., is a dark gray marble on which some claims were located by Mr. L. A. Blockman, of San Diego."
"Blockman marble deposit is in sec. 2, T. 18 S., R. 8 E., S.B., in the southeast corner of the county 4 ½ miles east by good road from the San Diego & Arizona Railroad. It is a dark gray marble. There is no record of development."
"Charles G. Moore, 2336 Superba street, San Diego. This quarry, which has been in operation about five years, is east of La Mesa, in the east 370 feet of the S. ½ of the SE. ¼ of the SW. ¼ of the SE. ¼ of Sec. 17, T. 16 S., R. 1 W. This stone, which is a diorite, is wholly used for monumental purposes and about 8 carloads of 200 cubic feet are consumed annually."
"Dr. A. S. Eakle's determination of (this rock) is as follows:….
"Moore, La Mesa. Diorite. A thin section shows plagioclase predominating, a little orthoclase, biotite and hornblende in about equal amounts, some apatite needles and magnetite grains. An occasional augite crystal occurs."
"San Diego Granite Works, corner Eleventh and M streets, San Diego, Fred Fickas, proprietor…at one time operated the quarry near La Mesa, now controlled by Charles G. Moore…."
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