Quarries in Maine & Quarry Links, Photographs, and Articles

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Quarries in Maine & Quarry Links, Photographs, and Articles
(Continued)

List of Selections:

Dix Island, Maine - the Best Building Granite in the World (Dix Island, Maine) (September 1872) The Manufacturer and Builder, Vol. 4, Issue 9, September 1872, pgs. 197-198. (article in digital images viewed at American Memory, Library of Congress)
East Union, Maine - W. E. Dorman & Son (from Design Hints For Memorial Craftsmen, May 1930, Vol. 6, No. 11, pp. 27)

W. E. Dorman & Son was listed as one of the customers of the Mount Brothers of Memphis Missouri, who sold their Air Take-off Device used in carving cemetery stones.
Forks, Somerset County, Maine - Slate in Forks, Maine (1906). Click on the preceding link to read the details of the Forks slate quarries ca 1906. The information on the these slate quarries is from Slate Deposits and Slate Industry of the United States, Bulletin No. 275, by T. Nelson Dale With sections by E. C. Eckel, W. F. Hillebrand, and A. T. Coons, Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1906.
Forks, Somerset County, Maine - Slate in Forks, Maine (1914). Click on the preceding link to read the details of the Forks slate quarries ca 1914. The information on the Forks slate quarries is from Slate in The United States, Bulletin 586 - Maine, by T. Nelson Dale and Others, Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey, Washington, Government Printing Office, 1914.

Fox Islands - Map Showing Location of Quarries in Fox Islands.

(Map) (From Vinalhaven sheet of Topographical Atlas of the United States, U. S. Geol. Survey.) (From The Granites of Maine, Bulletin 313, 1907, Figure 25.)

Frankfort, Waldo County, Maine - the Mosquito Mountain Quarry, from The Commercial Granites of New England, Bulletin 738, by T. Nelson Dale, U. S. Geological Survey, 1923.

This quarry was “in the town of Frankfort, on top of Mosquito Mountain, 2 miles S. 10° E. of Frankfort village. This mountain is a granite dome rising 545 feet above tidewater, close by, with a steep east face....” The operator was Hayward Pierce of Frankford in 1905. The granite in the quarry was reportedly a medium-gray color with milk-white feldspar crystals. It had a medium texture. Transport of the granite was by “about 7,000 feet of track and gravity cars from quarry to the cutting shed and wharf on Marsh River (South Branch Stream), which admits schooners of 14-foot draft.”

The Mosquito Mountain Quarry was opened before 1837 and was located on the east side of the mountain. A later opening was located on the top and in 1905 this quarry measured 1,000 by 500 feet and had a maximum depth of 25 feet. At the time of the report, the quarry had not been operated since 1912 and was then abandoned.

The granite from the quarry was used for bridges, buildings, and the small sheets and waste for paving. Granite from this quarry was used in the following examples: the post office at Lynn, Massachusetts, and part of that at Chicago, Illinois; and the New York Central Railroad bridge across Harlem River.
Frankfort, Waldo County, Maine - the Mosquito Mountain Granite Quarry (medium gray color) Structures in which this stone was used include: Part of the Post Office in Chicago, Illinois; the Post Office in Lynn, Massachusetts; the Manhattan Anchorage of the New York suspension bridge in New York City; the New York Central Railroad bridge across the Harlem River in New York City; and paving and bridgework - locations not stated (For a more detailed description of the granite and location of quarry, see Maine Quarries and Prospects published by the Maine Geological Survey, written by M. B. Austin and A. M. Huseey, II, John R. Rand, State Geologist, May 1, 1958, pp. 22.)

Frankfort, Maine - Eastern Side of Mosquito Mountain, Town of Frankfort. Looking Northwest.

Showing sheet and dome structure and the erosion of the sheets. Plate III (photograph) (From The Granites of Maine, Bulletin 313, 1907, Plate III-B.)

Frankfort, Waldo County, Maine - the Mount Waldo Quarry, from The Commercial Granites of New England, Bulletin 738, by T. Nelson Dale, U. S. Geological Survey, 1923.

This quarry was "in the town of Frankfort, on the north spur of Mount Waldo, 660 feet above sea level, one-third mile southwest of Frankfort village." The operator of the quarry was the Mount Waldo Granite Works of Frankfort, Maine. Granite from the quarry was reportedly a medium gray color. Transport of the granite was by "two graded tracks, each 1,200 feet long, operated by gravity from the quarry part way down the hill to the power house, thence by a cable road (Roebling engine) 1 1/4 miles to the wharf, which is accessible to schooners at 15-feet draft."

At the time of the report, the quarry had been idle since 1914.

Granite from the quarry was used for buildings and the small sheets and waste for paving blocks. Granite from this quarry can be seen in these examples: the Milwaukee, Cleveland, Indianapolis and Jersey City post offices; the Philadelphia Mint; the Municipal Building in New York; the public library in St. Louis, Missouri, and the post office in Bangor, Maine.
Frankfort, Waldo County, Maine - the Mount Waldo Granite Quarry (medium gray color) Structures in which this stone was used include: the Post Office in Augusta, Maine; the Post Office in Cleveland, Ohio; the Post Office in Indianapolis, Indiana; the Post Office in Jersey City, New Jersey; the Post Office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; the United States Mint in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and the Public Library in St. Louis, Missouri. (For a more detailed description of the granite and location of quarry, see Maine Quarries and Prospects published by the Maine Geological Survey, written by M. B. Austin and A. M. Huseey, II, John R. Rand, State Geologist, May 1, 1958, pp. 22.)

Frankfort, Maine – Mt. Waldo Granite Works – Bangor & Aroostook Railroad’s Locomotive Number 207 (color postcard photograph; Mary Jayne’s Railroad Specialties, Inc.; circa 1979; unmailed) More information is available on this railroad in the Wikipedia section, “Bangor and Aroostook Railroad.”

Bangor & Aroostook Railroad’s Locomotive Number 207

“Bangor & Aroostook’s 4-4-0, Number 207, is on lease to the Mt. Waldo Granite Works in this rare 1940 scene at Frankfort, Maine. Number 207 was built by Manchester, N.H. Locomotive Works in 1894 and was scrapped shortly after this view was taken when a new Diesel arrived on the property. “Photo by Ellis Spear from the 470 Railroad Club Collection.”
“25th Anniversary 1954 – 1979”

Franklin, Hancock County, Maine - the Alonzo Abbot Granite Quarry (medium gray shade) Stone from this quarry was used for curbing, flagging, and paving. (For a more detailed description of granite and location of quarry, see Maine Quarries and Prospects published by the Maine Geological Survey, written by M. B. Austin and A. M. Huseey, II, John R. Rand, State Geologist, May 1, 1958, pp. 6.)
Franklin, Hancock County, Maine - the Bianchi Quarry, from The Commercial Granites of New England, Bulletin 738, by T. Nelson Dale, U. S. Geological Survey, 1923.

This quarry was located "between Mill Pond and Great Pond roads in West Franklin." The operator was the Emerald Granite Co. (Stephen Bianchi), 46 Cornhill, Boston, Massachusetts. The granite, referred to as "Emerald Granite" was reportedly a very dark greenish-gray color. "The polished face (was) black, irregularly speckled with bale blue-greenish gray, and cuts almost white." The "Black Granite" was used for inscribed monuments. The report noted that the Bianchi quarry was idle in 1921 and 1922.
Franklin, Hancock County, Maine - the Bianchi Granite Quarry (very dark greenish gray color) (For a more detailed description of granite and location of quarry, see Maine Quarries and Prospects published by the Maine Geological Survey, written by M. B. Austin and A. M. Huseey, II, John R. Rand, State Geologist, May 1, 1958, pp. 8.)
Franklin, Hancock County, Maine - the Blaisdell Quarry (T. M.), from The Commercial Granites of New England, Bulletin 738, by T. Nelson Dale, U. S. Geological Survey, 1923.

This quarry was "in East Franklin, 1 mile above the head of navigation." The operator was T. M. Blaisdell of East Franklin, Maine. The granite from the quarry was reported a medium to dark gray color with a medium texture.

Minerals in descending order of abundance: Potash feldspar (microcline and orthoclase), slightly smoky quartz, lime-soda feldspar (oligoclase to oligoclase-albite), black mica (biotite), together with accessory magnetite and zircon.

The T. M. Blaisdell Quarry opened about 1875. When measured in 1905 the quarry was 200 by 300 feet and had a varying depth. The quarry had a working face on the north of 53 feet high. Transport of the granite was by cart a few hundred feet and then by lighter a mile to the schooners. Granite from the quarry was used for curbing, paving, bridges, docks, and "random" rock.
Franklin, Hancock County, Maine - the Blaisdell (T. M.) Granite Quarry (darkish gray color) Stone from this quarry was used for curbing, paving, bridges, docks, and random stone in Boston, Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington. (For a more detailed description of granite and location of quarry, see Maine Quarries and Prospects published by the Maine Geological Survey, written by M. B. Austin and A. M. Huseey, II, John R. Rand, State Geologist, May 1, 1958, pp. 9.)
Franklin, Hancock County, Maine - the Blaisdell Quarry (W. B.), from The Commercial Granites of New England, Bulletin 738, by T. Nelson Dale, U. S. Geological Survey, 1923.

This quarry was "in the town of Franklin, on the southeast side of Sullivan River." The operator was the W. B. Blaisdell & Co. of Franklin, Maine. Granite from the quarry was reportedly a medium-gray color with a medium to coarse texture.

Minerals in descending order of abundance: Potash feldspar (microcline and orthoclase), smoky quartz, soda-lime feldspar (oligoclase), and black mica (biotite), together with accessory magnetite, zircon, apatite, and secondary epidote and chlorite.

The W. B. Blaisdell Quarry opened about 1875. When the quarry was measured in 1905, it was 300 by 250 feet and had a depth from 15 to 35 feet. Transport of the granite was by "lifters" drawn by horses 1,000 feet to the schooners at the dock. The granite was used for curbing and paving.
Franklin, Hancock County, Maine - the Blaisdell (W. B.) Granite Quarry (medium gray color) Stone from this quarry was used for curbing and paving in Boston, Massachusetts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and New York City. (For a more detailed description of granite and location of quarry, see Maine Quarries and Prospects published by the Maine Geological Survey, written by M. B. Austin and A. M. Huseey, II, John R. Rand, State Geologist, May 1, 1958, pp. 9.)
Franklin, Hancock County, Maine - the Bradbury Quarry, from The Commercial Granites of New England, Bulletin 738, by T. Nelson Dale, U. S. Geological Survey, 1923.

This quarry was located "in West Franklin, near the north end of Grape Pond." The operator was F. Bradbury & Sons of West Franklin, Maine. The granite was reportedly a dark-grayish, slightly purplish color with a very coarse texture. The quarry was a triangular area with each side measuring about 75 feet when measured in 1905. The quarry had a depth in places of 15 feet. Transport of the granite was by cart to the railroad about 900 feet. The granite was used for railroad culverts.
Franklin, Hancock County, Maine - the Bradbury (F.) and Sons Granite Quarry (dark gray color) Stone from this quarry was used for culverts, etc. in Maine Central and Washington County railroad and in eastern Maine. (For a more detailed description of granite and location of quarry, see Maine Quarries and Prospects published by the Maine Geological Survey, written by John R. Rand, State Geologist, May 1, 1958, pp. 11.)
Franklin, Hancock County, Maine - the Bragdon Quarry, from The Commercial Granites of New England, Bulletin 738, by T. Nelson Dale, U. S. Geological Survey, 1923.

This quarry was located in the town of Franklin. The operator was L. C. Bragdon of Franklin. Granite from the quarry was reportedly a medium-gray color with a medium texture. In 1905 the quarry measured 300 feet north to south by 150 feet east to west. It had a depth from 10 to 20 feet and was drained by a siphon pipe. Transport of the granite was by cart two miles to the wharf. At the time of the report the quarry had been idle since 1919. Granite from the quarry was used for curbing, paving blocks, and random stone.
Franklin, Hancock County, Maine - the Bragdon Fernald and Gordon Granite Quarry (medium gray color) Stone from this quarry was used as curbing, paving, and random stone - locations not stated. (For a more detailed description of granite and location of quarry, see Maine Quarries and Prospects published by the Maine Geological Survey, written by M. B. Austin and A. M. Huseey, II, John R. Rand, State Geologist, May 1, 1958, pp. 11.)
Franklin, Hancock County, Maine - the Coombs Granite Quarry (light gray color) (For a more detailed description of granite and location of quarry, see Maine Quarries and Prospects published by the Maine Geological Survey, written by M. B. Austin and A. M. Huseey, II, John R. Rand, State Geologist, May 1, 1958, pp. 12.)
Franklin, Hancock County, Maine - the Goodwin Granite Quarry (medium gray color) (For a more detailed description of granite and location of quarry, see Maine Quarries and Prospects published by the Maine Geological Survey, written by M. B. Austin and A. M. Huseey, II, John R. Rand, State Geologist, May 1, 1958, pp. 15.)
Franklin, Hancock County, Maine - the Robertson Quarry, from The Commercial Granites of New England, Bulletin 738, by T. Nelson Dale, U. S. Geological Survey, 1923.

This quarry was located in the town of Franklin. The operator was Harvey E. Robertson of North Sullivan, Maine. The granite was reportedly a medium-gray color with a coarse to medium texture.

Minerals in descending order of abundance: potash feldspar (orthoclase and microcline), slightly smoky quartz, soda-lime feldspar (oligoclase), and black mica (biotite), with accessory magnetite and pyrite.

The Robertson Quarry was opened in 1892. When measured in 1905, the quarry was 300 feet north to south by 300 feet east to west. It had a depth from 5 to 15 feet. The granite was transported by cart 1 3/4 miles to the dock in the bay.

Granite from the quarry was used for curbing, paving blocks, and random stone.
Franklin, Hancock County, Maine - the Robertson Granite Quarry (medium gray color) Stone from this quarry was used for curbing, paving, and random work - locations not stated. (For a more detailed description of the granite and location of quarry, see Maine Quarries and Prospects published by the Maine Geological Survey, written by M. B. Austin and A. M. Huseey, II, John R. Rand, State Geologist, May 1, 1958, pp. 26.)

Freeport, Cumberland County, Maine - the Freeport Quarry, Excerpt from The Commercial Granites of New England, Bulletin 738, by T. Nelson Dale, U. S. Geological Survey, 1923.

This quarry was "half a mile southeast of Freeport station, on the Maine Central Railroad, on the east side of a hillock 80 feet high, with northeast-southwest axis." The operator was Long & Saunders Quarry Co. of Quincy, Massachusetts. The granite was a medium-gray color with a slight bluish tinge and a fine texture. Minerals in descending order of abundance: potash feldspar (microcline, orthoclase), smoky quartz, soda-lime feldspar (olioclase), black mica, and white mica.

The Freeport Quarry opened in 1886. When measured in 1905 the quarry was about 600 feet from northeast to southwest by about 100 feet across. It had a working face of 55 feet high. Transport of the granite was by cart half a mile to the railroad or three-fourths of a mile to the dock. At the time of the inspection, the quarry had been idle since 1913.

Monuments created from the granite from the Freeport Quarry are: the Humboldt monument in Chicago, Illinois; and the Scott monument in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; the front of the Maine building at the Chicago's World's Fair (which was afterwards moved to Poland Springs, Maine); and the Polished tanks at Poland Springs.

Freeport, Maine - Lower edge of schist inclusion in granite at quarry in Freeport, Maine. Showing ragged edge partly detached piece of the biotite schist, also smaller fragments. The black streak on the granite is rusty stain from the schist. (From The Granites of Maine, Bulletin 313, 1907, Plate VII-B.)

Freeport, Cumberland County, Maine - the Freeport Quarry (Latti/Latty) (slight bluish tinge) Structures in which this stone was used include: the Front of the Maine Building (at World's the Fair) in Poland Spring, Maine; the Humboldt Monument in Chicago, Illinois; and the Scott Monument in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (For a more detailed description of granite and location of quarry, see Maine Quarries and Prospects published by the Maine Geological Survey, written by John R. Rand, State Geologist, May 1, 1958, pp. 14.)

Freeport (near), Maine - the Freeport Granite Quarries of Mr. Edmund B. Mallet, Jr. (From Wolf's Neck, The Gem of Casco Bay, The Charming Suburb of Freeport, Maine, With Its Many Important Industries and Superior Granite Productions, by George H. Haynes, Portland, Maine, circa 1889. The photographs below are taken from this book.)

Quarry (Quarry of Freeport Granite one-half mile from Freeport).

Granite and Marble Manufactory (one-half mile from Freeport).

Hauling Granite near Freeport, Maine.

Granite Quarry near Freeport, Maine.

Hauling Granite from Quarry near Freeport, Maine.

Freeport, Maine - the E. B. Mallett Granite Quarry (present-day company?), listed on the MineDat.org web site.
Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine - the Eagle Gray Quarry, from The Commercial Granites of New England, Bulletin 738, by T. Nelson Dale, U. S. Geological Survey, 1923.

This quarry was "in the town of Fryeburg, at the northeast foot of Starks Hill, about 1 1/4 miles south of Fryeburg Village." The operator was the Eagle Gray Granite Co. of Fryeburg, Maine. Granite from the quarry was reportedly a medium gray color with a medium texture. Transport of the granite was by cart two-fifths mile to the Maine Central Railroad.

The Eagle Gray Quarry was opened in 1903. In 1905 the quarry measured about 150 feet square by 3 to 12 feet deep.

Granite from the Eagle Gray Quarry was used for buildings and bases to monuments and can be seen in the granite part of the public library at Conway, New Hampshire.
Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine - the Eagle Gray Granite Quarry (medium gray color) (For a more detailed description of granite and location of quarry, see Maine Quarries and Prospects published by the Maine Geological Survey, written by M. B. Austin and A. M. Huseey, II, John R. Rand, State Geologist, May 1, 1958, pp. 14.)
Fryeburg, Oxford County, Maine - the Hodsdon Granite Quarry (medium gray stone from this quarry was used for paving, curbing, and monuments - locations not stated. (For a more detailed description of the granite and location of quarry, see Maine Quarries and Prospects published by the Maine Geological Survey, written by John R. Rand, State Geologist, May 1, 1958, pp. 17.)
Fryeburg, Maine – W. C. Smith (Monument Dealer) (Excerpts from “Motor Truck in the Monument Business: What Retail Monument Dealers Think of the Efficiency of Motor Transportation for Memorial Work,” article in Granite Marble & Bronze, Vol. XXXI, No. 1, January 1921, pp. 32-33d.

“A short time ago Granite Marble & Bronze sent out a questionnaire to thousands of retail monument dealers throughout the country for information regarding the part the motor truck plays in the retail monument business….”

“Of course, the real interest in connection with this digest is in quoting what the dealers have to say about the subject, for the sayings are many and various….”

“W. C. Smith, Fryeburg, Me.:

“‘I have a one-ton Ford truck, and with it I have done four times the work I could have done with teams. It saves 400 per cent. in time and gives better satisfaction generally. I use solid tires because they were the only kind put on at the time of purchase I use the truck for any general work which would require a heavy team, and also do extra work for neighbors.’”
Georgetown, Maine - the Consolidated Quarry (photograph), presented by the Maine Geological Survey.
Green Island, Maine, the Latty Quarry (part of the Stonington District), from The Commercial Granites of New England, Bulletin 738, by T. Nelson Dale, U. S. Geological Survey, 1923.
This quarry was "in the southeastern part of Green Island, 1 mile southeast of Stonington." The operator was Latty Bros. Granite Co. of Slatington. Granite from the quarry was reported to be a pinkish-buff color with a coarse texture. Transport of the granite was by a 100-foot track to the wharf.
Green Island/Stonington, Hancock County, Maine - the Latty Brothers Granite Quarry (pinkish buff color) Stone from this quarry was used as random stone in New York and Boston, Massachusetts. (For a more detailed description of the granite and location of quarry, see Maine Quarries and Prospects published by the Maine Geological Survey, written by M. B. Austin and A. M. Huseey, II, John R. Rand, State Geologist, May 1, 1958, pp. 18.)
Greenwood, Maine - Harvard Quarry (Noise Mountain Quarry), located near Route 219 in Greenwood. Information about this quarry is available on mindat.org - Noise Mountain Quarry (Harvard Quarry).
Greenwood, Maine - Tamminen Quarry, located near Route 219 in Greenwood. Information about this quarry is available on minedat.org - Tamminen Quarry.
Guilford, Piscataquis County, Maine - the Brawn Granite Quarry (For a more detailed description of granite and location of quarry, see Maine Quarries and Prospects published by the Maine Geological Survey, written by M. B. Austin and A. M. Huseey, II, John R. Rand, State Geologist, May 1, 1958, pp. 11.)
Guilford, Penobscot County, Maine - the Queen City Quarry, from The Commercial Granites of New England, Bulletin 738, by T. Nelson Dale, U. S. Geological Survey, 1923.

This quarry was "3 1/2 miles from Foxcroft, in Guilford township." The operator was the Queen City Granite Co. of Bangor, Maine. Granite from the quarry was reportedly a light-gray color with a medium to coarse texture. The quarry was idle in 1918.

Granite from the Queen City Quarry was used for building and can be seen in the following examples: the trimmings of a brick building erected in 1899 for the Bangor Theological Seminary and those of the Stetson Block at Bangor, Maine.
Guilford, Penobscot County, Maine - the Queen City Granite Quarry (light gray color) Structures in which this stone was used include the two wings of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City; the Pedestal of the General Grant monument in Galena, Illinois; and monuments and buildings - locations not stated. (For a more detailed description of the granite and location of quarry, see Maine Quarries and Prospects published by the Maine Geological Survey, written by M. B. Austin and A. M. Huseey, II, John R. Rand, State Geologist, May 1, 1958, pp. 25.)

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Quarries in Maine & Quarry Links, Photographs, and Articles (Continued)

Quarries in Maine & Quarry Links, Photographs, and Articles
(Continued)