The Colorado Stone and Building Industry in 1885
Excerpts from
Mineral Resources of the United States, Calendar Year
1885
David T. Day, Geologist, Department of the Interior, United States
Geological Survey
Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C., 1887.
Excerpts from the chapter on "Structural Materials," by H. S. Sproull:"
"From a few sections of the country reports indicate some falling off in the production of structural materials, but generally there has been a gain for standard descriptions, and occasionally of very decided character. The losses appear to be due to local influences alone, having no further bearing, while the increase may be accepted as a fair reflection from the entire country. The prime factor, leading to a fuller production, was the low ruling cost of material, which presented an attraction for consumption, and led to larger investments in real estate improvements, especially in the larger cities and their suburbs. Some increase in public works and improvements has opened the outlet still wider, and promises additional expansion. Notwithstanding the considerable increase in quantity of material produced in 1885, the value only exceeded that of 1884 in a few instances, and in some cases ran rather behind, as the result of the lower values brought about by various influences, as will be explained farther on. The profits of the manufacturing interest have naturally become somewhat curtailed, yet rarely to a serious extent, and there is very universal testimony to warrant the assertion that no attempt has been made to balance the shrinkage in price by lowering the grade of the product; but, on the contrary, every reasonable effort was put forth to enhance the quality and attractions as an additional stimulant to consumption."
Rocky mountain division:
"A bed of remarkably fine marble was opened during 1885 on one of the branches of Rock creek, Guinnison county, Colorado. The marble was made the subject of a special examination by the Union Pacific Railway Company, and all tests of its quality proved in the highest degree satisfactory. There is an abundance of the marble, but it is so difficult to access that it was found impracticable to attempt the development of the district. Marble of fair quality is found on the Upper Arkansas, near Grand Junction, and at other western points, but is nowhere mined or worked."
Commercial use of material within this site is strictly prohibited. It is not to be captured, reworked, and placed inside another web site ©. All rights reserved. Peggy B. and George (Pat) Perazzo.