By G. E. Ladd, Assistant Geologist
In Geological Survey of Missouri, Bulletin No. 3, Supplement
December 1890.
“The geological formations of St. Louis City and county furnish to the industries handling stone, limestone, sandstone and a low grade of marble.
“Limestone: - The limestones have been largely quarried for common purposes, the most general use being for foundations, paving and macadam. Less extensively, they have been quarried and dressed for a variety of dimension work. They are also used largely for the production of lime.*
(* Page 38 footnote: Some of the beds of the St. Louis Limestone have been successfully used for lithographic work. No bed however is uniformly of the requisite quality, and the cost of selection of available material would seem to preclude the development of an industry for the production of lithographic stone.)
“Sandstone: - The sandstones are used for foundations to a small extent, and have been quarried for dimension stone, but they are not durable.
“In the Coal Measures, limestones occur which answer for common uses, and the micaceous sandstone, which is supposed to constitute the superior part of the lower measures, furnishes a rather poor building material.
“The Lower Carboniferous rocks furnish a sandstone (the Ferruginous Sandstone of the general section), which is scarcely better than the micaceous sandstone. Immediately below this Ferruginous Sandstone, however, come the important beds of the St. Louis Limestone, description sections of which are given in the notes on stone quarries beginning on page 42.
“This formation is quarried most extensively for foundation material and macadam. Many of its beds are particularly well adapted for the production of the latter. The lower beds will furnish very large blocks of handsome and durable dimension stone, and it seems probable that in the near future there will be a considerable industry producing such material.
“The Keokuk Limestone of the general section has workable beds of a semi-crystalline fossiliferous stone which is handsome, takes a fair polish, and is probably durable. Large blocks are obtainable from these beds.
“From the Keokuk to the Trenton formation no economically important stone occurs. In the Trenton are some thick beds of semi-crystalline, highly fossiliferous limestone, which will furnish an excellent dimension stone. Many of the Trenton beds which appear to be serviceable, are, however, unfit for use in building, owing to a structural peculiarity by reason of which the stone suffers rapidly under the influence of weather. On exposure it becomes thoroughly honey-combed and, in this condition, it is frequently used for ornamental purposes about lawns and gardens.
“From beneath the Trenton Limestone, in the western part of the county, the First Magnesian Limestone crops out and exposes some heavy beds of beautifully colored stone. The more crystalline of these will furnish a good dimension stone, but the greater part of the beds exposed seem prone to a rapid submission to the action of the weather.
“Beneath the First Magnesian Limestone there are occasionally exposed, in the extreme western part of the county, beds of the Saccharoidal Sandstone which are capable of furnishing, as they do at Pacific and Crystal City, the highest grade of sand for glassmaking.
“The following table shows the geological distribution of the different quarries. Each individual opening known to have been worked in 1889 is included and the quarries are assigned to formations according to Shumard’s classification.
(pp. 40-83)
“The following descriptive list gives what general information the writer could obtain relating to the individual stone quarries. It is meant to be used in connection with other parts of the paper, such as the maps, where the geological and geographical locations of quarries is shown, the table of analyses, where the composition of numerous beds of limestone is exposed, and the statistical tables, where the character, amount and value of the product of the quarries is given.
“A comparatively small amount of machinery is used at the St. Louis quarries. Many of the quarries are small, shallow openings, worked for macadam and foundation stone. Without the aid of any machinery. Some of the large and deep quarries have a steep, winding road to the surface, up which all the product is hauled in wagons, and, as many of these quarries have a natural drainage through subterranean passages, it is possible to dispense with pumping machinery. A class, including a large number of quarries, is the bluff quarry, which are opened along the face of old river bluffs, as open cuts. Here, for the production of stone for common uses, machinery is not necessary. Many of these quarries are to be found along the bluffs of the Mississippi river, where railroad facilities are close at hand. Most of their output, however, goes to a local market, and is hauled to its destination in wagons. Similarly situated, but without an immediate local market, are the quarries near Vigus, in the old bluffs of the Missouri river. These latter quarries aim to produce dimension stone, and such stone can be shipped by rail from here at a profit.
“The working of the thick lower beds of the St. Louis formation into dimension stone, for which they seem to be well suited, calls for channeling machines. A few of these are now in use, and it is probable that they will be more extensively introduced in the near future.
“The distribution of quarries, excepting those in the river bluffs, seems to be determined largely by the thickness of the stripping which is found above the workable stone. The stripping is composed of the Loess clays and sands, the Drift (sand and pebbles), residual clay and decomposing limestone.
“The illustration opposite this page (below) is intended to show the general features of one of the St. Louis’ largest sunken quarries. The view is of the south end of the quarry, and shows the stripping, the crushing machines with the wagons below it receiving their load of crushed stone, the building containing the engine room, etc., and the heaps of riprap and macadam lying about in the quarry.
“In the sections which are given are descriptions of the important or striking features of all the exposed beds at a quarry. It is evident from a study of these sections that a considerable variety of products for a quarry is necessary. Usually only a few beds at any quarry are suitable for dimension work, except the lighter kinds, such as window sills, etc. Other beds are used for macadam, paving, riprap, building stone, etc., according to their qualities and adaptability to the production of a given class of material. It will be seen in the following descriptive list that the product of the individual stone quarries is generally of a very varied character.
“All of the quarries within the city limits are in the St. Louis Limestone formation.
“Albernacius, Frank, and Adam Kern (L, 17): - Mr. Albernacius and Mr. Kern operate small quarries in the bluff immediately adjoining Mr. Lohrum’s quarry. The product consists of macadam, paving and dimension stone. These quarries have been worked eighteen and nine years respectively.
“Following is the section here, in descending series: -
Total thickness of rock - 67 feet, 3 inches.
“Baldwin, Henry (I, 20): - Mr. Baldwin’s quarry is situated between Itaska and Maeder streets, east of Pennsylvania avenue. It has been worked continuously since 1872, when it opened. The product is mostly building and dimension stone. The quarry is two hundred and thirteen feet long, by one hundred and thirty feet wide, and exposes the following columnar section, in descending series: -
Total thickness of rock - 26 feet, 1 inch.
“Bambrick-Bates Construction Co., First Quarry (N, 9-2): -
“This quarry is situated on Madison stret (sic), between Maine and second streets. It was opened in 1867, and has, since, been worked continuously. It is three hundred feet long, one hundred and twenty feet wide, and eighty feet deep. Stone for all common purposes is quarried.
“Bambrick-Bates Construction Co., Second Quarry (N, 9): -
“This quarry occupies about one-half the block between Clinton, Madison, Main and Second streets. It was opened in 1886, and produces stone for all common purposes.
“The following columnar section is exposed, in descending series: -
Total thickness of rock - 37 feet, 9 inches.
“Barnett, Wm. H. (J, 12): - Mr. Barnett has a quarry which is situated just south of Bernard and east of Cardinal avenues. It was opened in 1889. The product consists of macadam, paving, dimension stone and riprap. The quarry is about three hundred and twenty-five feet long by three hundred feet wide. The stripping of Loess has been removed and made into bricks. It is soon to be worked on a much larger scale than it is at present.
“The following section, in descending series, was obtained here: -
Total thickness of rock - 28 feet, 7 ½ inches.
“The beds have a slight easterly or north-easterly dip.
“Brocksmith, H. (C. 14): - Mr. Brocksmith has a quarry at Clifton Heights, just north-west of the Missouri Pacific Railway station. It was opened about thirty-five years ago (circa 1860), and has been worked by the present owner for the last eight years. The product consists of paving, macadam, building stone and a little dimension stone, in the quarrying of which two machine drills are used. The quarry is about one hundred feet long by thirty-five feet wide. The stripping of Loess is disposed of by making bricks of it.
“The following section, in descending series, was obtained here: -
Total thickness of rock - 20 feet, 8 inches.
“Byrnes, Thomas (J, 10): - Mr. Byrnes has a small quarry which is situated on Magazine street, just east of Mr. Cavanaugh’s quarry. The product is small and consists mostly of building stone.
“Cavanaugh, T. E. (J, 10); - Mr. Cavanaugh has a quarry which is situated on the south-east corner of Magazine street and Garrison avenue. It was opened about twenty-three years ago (circa 1867). The product consists of building stone, paving stone and macadam. One three-inch Ingersoll drill is used. The stone is hauled to the surface in wagons, up an inclined road.
“The following section, in descending series, was obtained here: -
Total thickness of rock - 39 feet, 4 inches.
“Devereux and Sons (G, 7): - The quarry operated by this firm is situated on Marcus avenue, between Osage and Loraine streets. Building stone is the chief product. The quarry was opened in 1870. It is about one hundred and twenty-five feet long, seventy-five feet wide, and exposes the following columnar section, in descending series: -
Total thickness of rock - 24 feet, 5 inches.
“Engleman, A. O. (M, 15): - Mr. Engleman has a quarry which is situated at the foot of North Trudeau street, west of the Missouri Pacific railway tracks. It was opened in 1870, and for ten years was quarried for the purpose of producing lime. It is about two hundred and fifty feet long and one hundred and twenty-five feet wide. The product now consists of dimension and building stone, macadam and paving. Two Ingersoll drills and a channeling machine are in use. Stone is handled by derricks.
“The following section, in descending series, was obtained here: -
Total thickness of rock - 50 feet, 10 inches.
“Eyerman, G., Estate, First Quarry (I, 20): - This quarry is situated east of Virginia avenue, near Maeder. The product is mostly building stone, but a little dimension stone, macadam and paving stone, is quarried. The quarry has been worked since 1882 (in circa 1890). It is about ninety feet side and three hundred and twenty feet long.
“The following section, in descending series, was obtained here: -
Total thickness of rock - 40 feet, 7 inches.
“Friederichs, Jacob (I, 20): - Mr. Friederichs has a quarry situated at the intersection of Minnesota avenue and Maeder street, which was opened about seven years ago. The quarry is rectangular in shape, is about sixty feet long by fifty feet wide, and is drained by a subterranean channel.
“The following section, in descending series, was obtained here: -
Total thickness of rock - 36 feet, 9 inches.
“Fruin, Bambrick & Co., First Quarry (H, 12): - This quarry is situated at the junction of Cabanne avenue and Papin street. There are two shallow openings, one on each side of the Missouri Pacific railway. Work was begun here about two years ago (circa 1898), and has consisted mainly of the removal of stone for the production of macadam.
“Fruin, Bambrick & Co., Second Quarry (C, 14): - This quarry is situated on the ‘Frisco’ railway at Clifton Heights. The product consists mostly of macadam and building stone. Some paving is also produced.
“The following section, in descending series, was obtained here: -
“The following section, in descending series, was obtained here: -
Total thickness of rock - 21 feet, 2 inches.
“Fruin, Bambrick & Co., Third Quarry (I, 13): - This quarry is situated on the south-east corner of Grand and Chouteau avenues. Work was begun by the present operators in may 1890, with the intention of producing paving stone, macadam and rubble. But little work has been done as yet.
“The following section, in descending series, was obtained here: -
Total thickness of rock - 38 feet, 0 inches.
“Fruin, Bambrick & Co., Fourth Quarry (H, 12): - This quarry is situated near the junction of Cabanne and Chouteau avenues. The product consists of macadam, paving, building stone and rubble. The quarry is about thirty-five feet deep.
“Grand, Louis (K, 19) - Mr. Grand has a large quarry which is situated west of the Iron Mountain and Southern railway track, near Meramec street. The quarry is two hundred feet long and sixty feet deep. The product consists of macadam, building stone and paving. The quarry is in the same bluff as the Work House* quarry and the sections at the two quarries are very similar.
[* Page 50 footnote: For analyses of the stone from the respective beds of this section see page 77. (Table intitled, “Work House Quarry, St. Louise Limestone.”)]
“Heman Bros. (O, 10): - This firm has a quarry which is situated in the block west of Main Street and south of Brooklyn. Stone for most all the common uses is produced. Following is the columnar section made at the quarry, in descending series: -
“The following section, in descending series, was obtained here: -
Total thickness of rock - 38 feet, 7 inches.
“Hogan, E. W. (K, 6): - Mr. Hogan has a quarry which adjoins the Perkinson Second Quarry on the eleventh street side. The product consists of macadam, building stone and paving. Stone is hoisted from the quarry by derricks.
“The section is the same here as that at the latter quarry. (The Heman Bros. quarry located in the block west of Main Street and south of Brooklyn.)
“Hogan, M. (L, 7): - Mr. Hogan has a quarry on Penrose south of Blair avenue. The product consists of macadam.
“Following is the section in descending series: -
“The following section, in descending series, was obtained here: -
Total thickness of rock - 25 feet, 10 inch.
“Hogan and Moran (J, 9): - This firm has a quarry which is situated at the north-east corner of Magazine street and Garrison avenue. It was opened fifty-one years ago (circa 1839), and was worked by R. Kingen for seventeen years. Mr. Hogan then worked it for twenty-five years when it went into the hands of the present firm which has since operated it continuously. The product consists of macadam, building stone and paving. Stone is loaded, in the quarry, into movable wag beds, hoisted to the surface and delivered to the wheels of the truck.
“The upper part of the section is the same as that at Cavanaugh’s*...The entire section is as follows, in descending series: -
(* See the entry for: St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri - the T. E. Cavanaugh Quarry.”
Total thickness of rock - Total thickness of rock - 63 feet, 9 inches.
“Kempf, Conrad (I, 20): - Mr. Kempf has a quarry situated next to Mr. Friedericks, which was opened in 1883. Dimension and building stone, and macadam are produced. The quarry is drained by a subterranean stream. It is about one hundred and eighty feet long by one hundred feet wide, and exposes the following columnar section, in descending order: -
Total thickness of rock - 27 feet, 8 inches.
“Kern, Adam: - See Albernacius.”
“Kinealy and Sons (K, 7): - This firm has a quarry which is situated in the block between Florissant, Twenty-second, Penrose and Angelica streets. It was opened in the spring of 1889. Building stone, curbing and macadam are the chief products. The quarry is about sixty feet long, fifty feet wide and exposes the following columnar section, in descending series: -
Total thickness of rock - 15 feet, 6 inches.
“Knaus and Willis (J, 19): - See Allen.”
“Krug and Zesch (I, 20): - This firm has a quarry at the corner of Minnesota and Delor avenues. It was first worked in 1869. The output consists of macadam, paving, building stone and ‘furnace rock.’ The quarry is drained by a subterranean stream. It is about two hundred feet long, one hundred feet wide, and exposes the following vertical section, in descending series: -
Total thickness of rock - 40 feet, 3 inches.
“Lohrum, John C. (L, 17): - Mr. Lohrum has a quarry, situated in the face of the Mississippi river bluff, near the foot of Cahokia street, and on the Iron Mountain and Southern railway. The chief product is macadam and building stone; but some paving and dimension stone is quarried. The section here is about like that given below, at Martin Lorentz’ quarry,* although it is a little higher in the series, and a few different ledges come in at the base. The quarry has a face of three hundred feet in length. It was opened in 1883.
(* See the entry: “St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri - the Martin Lorentz Quarry.”)
“Lorentz, Martin (L, 17): - This quarry is situated by the side of the Iron Mountain & Southern railway track, near Cahokia street. It is one of the series of quarries which are worked in the face of the Mississippi river bluffs, and may be seen in the illustration on page 41 (see below). The principal product is building stone and macadam. The following section,* in descending series, shows the character of the material used: -
(* Page 54 footnote: For the results of analyses of average samples of the beds of this section, see page 76. - See table below.)
Total thickness of rock - 56 feet, 4 inches.
“Mohun, Patrick (I, 13): - Mr. Mohun’s quarry adjoins that of Christian Piepers, and occupies about half of the same opening, which is two hundred and seven feet long and one hundred and fifty feet wide. Work is at present suspended (circa 1890).
“O’Meara, John B., First Quarry (F, 17): - This quarry is one of three which are conducted by Mr. O’Meara. It is situated on the south side of Euclid, and on the west side of Ashland avenues. It has been worked since 1876. The product consists of dimension stone, paving, macadam, foundation stone, etc. Steam saws have been used for about five years, and at present a channeling machine is in use.
“The outline of the quarry is roughly circular at the surface, and is about four hundred yards in circumference. The following section in descending series, is exposed: -
Total thickness of rock - 81 feet, 4 inches.
“O’Meara, John B., Second Quarry (K, 9): - This quarry is situated at the corner of twenty-fifth and Montgomery streets, and occupies nearly a whole block. It was opened about twenty-five years ago (circa 1865). No dimension stone is quarried at present, although formerly a considerable amount of it was produced. The output is mostly paving, foundation stone and macadam. One four inch Ingersoll drill is used. Stone is hoisted from the quarry in the movable beds of wagons by derricks. The stripping varies here from a few inches to thirty feet in thickness. The upper twenty-five feet of limestone are very flinty, and are worth but little, though a few of the layers may make good curbing.
“O’Meara, John B., Third Quarry (F, 12): - This quarry is situated at number 4400 Clayton road. The product consists mostly of curbing and paving, and a small amount of building stone. Hand drills and a derrick are used.
“The following section was made in the quarry, in descending series: -
Total thickness of rock - 31 feet, 4 inches.
“Perkinson, J. E. & Bro., First Quarry (J, 7): - This quarry is situated near the corner of Harrison and Grand avenues. It was opened in 1870, and has been worked by the present owners for sixteen years. It is about one hundred and thirty-five feet deep. Stone for all common purposes is quarried.
“The following section, in descending series, was obtained here: -
Total thickness of rock - 86 feet, 4 inches.
“Perkinson, J. E. & Bros., Second Quarry (K, 6): - This quarry is situated near the corner of Bissell street and Broadway. Stone for all the common purposes is quarried.
“Following is the section, in descending series, obtained here: -
Total thickness of rock - 65 feet, 6 inches.
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