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The Colorado Stone and Building Industry, 1886

Excerpts from
Mineral Resources of the United States, Calendar Year 1886

David T. Day, Chief of Division of Mining Statistics and Technology
Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey
Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C., 1887.

 

Excerpts from the chapter on Structural Materials, by William C. Day.

"The year 1886 opened with encouraging prospects for the building industry generally throughout the country, but scarcely were active operations fairly under way when the widely-spread labor disturbances which have made the year memorable began, making themselves felt in a number of the largest cities, both in the east and west. As soon as the labor troubles were inaugurated, many building enterprises were abandoned, and many more were postponed until the differences between labor and capital should be smoothed over. The building operations which were carried on during the period of disturbance were in most cases attended by small margins of profit to all concerned, and in some instances by disaster to contractors and to those who supplied material. Business was dull for all branches of trade connected with the building industry; demand for material was low and irregular, and values fell off quite considerably.

"This period of general depression was, however, followed by one of the greatest activity, and while it is true that many building enterprises contemplated at the beginning of the year were abandoned and not taken up again in 1886, still the fact remains that at the close of the year the showing made by the principal cities of the country was a large increase in the amount of building done, as compared with 1885.

"The kind of buildings most extensively erected during this period of activity consisted of residences, the demand for which, in view of our rapidly increasing population, is naturally at all times imperative.

"Only a few cities show positive evidence to the effect that building operations for the entire year were curtailed owing to the influence of labor troubles, although, of course, the frequently-propounded question, "What would have been the amount and value of building done in 1886 had there been no serious interruption?" is one which no one can satisfactorily answer."

"For foundations and ordinary work (in Chicago, Illinois) Joliet and Lemont, Illinois, limestone is used; for ornamental work the following are used: Brown sandstone from Connecticut; red sandstone from Long Meadow, Massachusetts, sandstones of all kinds from different sources in Ohio, the Lake Superior region, and, to a less degree and quite recently, from Colorado. Bedford, Indiana, limestone is quite popular. Georgia marble is being introduced with great satisfaction, particularly the pinkish-gray variety. Granite from Maine, Missouri, and Minnesota is largely used."

Denver (Colorado): "The building stone used in Denver consists of lava from Castle rock and Coal Creek sandstone, both quarried near Denver; sandstone from Armago, New Mexico; red sandstone from Morrison, near Denver, and granite from Platte Cañon and Georgetown, Colorado.

"In Colorado the production of granite is still largely prospective, but active efforts are being made by those interested in developing the resources of the State to introduce the stone into western markets. Two quarries owned by the Union Pacific Railroad Company are said to yield granite of the very best quality. The stone from one of the quarries is pink in color, while that from the other is gray."

"Colorado: The establishment by the Union Pacific Railroad Company of a 'stone department,' for the purpose of quarrying and transporting to consumers of all kinds of building stone found in the "Great Hog Back" elevations of Colorado, and the liberal policy pursued by the company toward private quarry enterprises, have done a great deal, particularly during the past year, toward putting the building stone industry of the State in a promising condition. The following statements serve to indicate that the production of marble in Colorado may be looked for in the near future:

"The Midland Railroad Company has made surveys of its marble deposits, and has located a railroad running directly to the beds. The Osgood Company has made investigations of the thickness of its marble deposits with a view to subsequent development.

"The beds at Marble Glen, 10 miles northwest of Forth Collins, are said to consist of very fine material and to be of vast extent. Governor Routt has made preparations for opening up these depots.

"Some of the Colorado marbles are said to be fully equal in quality to those of Vermont and Tennessee. Inasmuch as investigations thus far have been of a preliminary character, definite statements in regard to both quality and quantity must be left for a future report."

"In the Rocky Mountain division, and particularly in Colorado, the general condition of the quarrying industry has been good. This prosperity is largely due to the efforts of the Union Pacific Railway Company to develop the quarries which abound along the Great Hog Back in Colorado, and to create a demand for the stone in the important cities of the Missouri valley. No separate figures for sandstone production alone have been furnished, but the amounts of stone of all kinds quarried and shipped by the Union Pacific Company during 1886 have already been given."

"When engaged in making a selection of the stone to be used in building the Colorado State capitol the board of commissioners having the matter in charge made tests of quite a number of different kinds of stone chiefly from Colorado, but also from other States."



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