Structures and Monuments in Which California Stone was Used

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Structures and Monuments in Which
California Stone was Used

Finished Products from California Stone in Colorado

Denver, Colorado – the Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial in Denver’s City Park (photographs) The following information is from the Cold Spring Granite web site.

Sierra White granite (quarried at Raymond in Madera County, California) was used for the main base of the memorial. Mesabi Black granite (quarried at Babbitt, Minnesota) was also used in the construction of the memorial. (* Raymond Granite / Sierra White granite is quarried at Raymond in Madera County, California.)

Finished Products from California Stone in Illinois

Kenilworth, Illinois – the Church of the Holy Comforter – the Companion Niche Fronts (photograph)

According to the “Churches & Religious Institutions” section of the Eickhof Columbaria, Inc., web site, the Niche fronts used in the Church of the Holy Comforter project were finished in Academy Black Granite quarried at Clovis, Fresno County, California. More photographs of the Columbaria are located in the “Government Institutions” section.

Finished Products from California Stone in Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota – Lakewood Cemetery - the Burwell Private Memorial (photograph)

According to the Cold Spring Granite web site, “steeled Sierra White Granite” quarried at Raymond, Madera County, California, was used in the construction of the Burwell Private Memorial.
Saint Paul, Minnesota – Moudry Apothecary Shop (photographs and history)(The link from which the following information was obtained is no longer available.)
<http://www.isd.net/jjohnso6/tour1/moudry_apothecary.html>

This material is from the Saint Paul, Minnesota, Geology Walking Tour web site presented by Jeremy D. Johnson. Rockville granite, quarried in Rockville, Minnesota, Charcoal Black granite, and Sierra White granite from Raymond, California, were used in the construction of the building. The block of buildings is being demolished.

Finished Products from California Stone in Nebraska

Omaha, Nebraska – the Joslyn Art Museum – Sculpture Garden (The link from which the following information was obtained is no longer available.
<http://www.joslyn.org/File.aspx?FileID=59295f84-bc06-4851-9177-8c253b03223e>

In the Joslyn Art Museum October 1, 2008, News Release, “Renowned Contemporary Stone Sculptor Jesús Morales to Create Reflecting Pool Installation for Joslyn Art Museum’s New Sculpture Garden” presented on their web site, it is stated that large slabs of Academy Black granite, quarried at Clovis in Fresno County, California, were to be used for the floor of the reflecting pool.

Finished Products from California Stone in Nevada

Carson City, Nevada - the Carson City Mint (The following information is from the Graystone Quarry Plaque, presented on the E Clampus Vitus 1850 web site.)

The Carson City Mint building was constructed from buff-colored sandstone quarried from the Goodrich Sandstone Quarry in southern San Jose, Santa Clara County, California.
Reno, Washoe County, Nevada – the Courthouse (The following information is from “Projects Utilizing Rocklin Granite,” compiled by members of the Rocklin Historical Society from various sources, 2011.)

“1910 Courthouse, Reno”

Reno, Nevada – the University of Nevada – Honor Court (photographs) The following information is from the “Honor Court” section of the Campus Tour.

According to this web site, Sierra White granite (quarried at Raymond in Madera County, California) was used for the granite pillars and a tall obelisk that features “…the names of top students, staff, faculty and donors who have left indelible marks at the University….”

Tonopah, Nye County, Nevada – the Buildings in Tonopah, Nevada (The following information is from “Projects Utilizing Rocklin Granite,” compiled by members of the Rocklin Historical Society from various sources, 2011.)

“1906 Buildings at Tonopah, Nevada; Oakland, San Jose, Fresno”

Finished Products from California Stone in New Jersey

Eatontown , New Jersey – the Gap Store. The following information is from the list of completed projects on the Stone Panels, Inc., web site.

According to this web site, the Gap store located in New Jersey was completed in 1991; and Sierra White granite* was used in the construction of the building. (* Sierra White granite was quarried at Raymond in Madera County, California.)

Finished Products from California Stone in Ohio

Beachwood, Ohio – Municipal Building – Countertops, etc.

The article entitled, “Municipal Building, Beachwood, Ohio,” by K. Schipper, in Stone Business Online, July 5, 2005, states that:

“…that countertops of Academy Black granite from Cold Spring Granite Co. were utilized to top transaction shelves and desktops, as well as the dais in the new city-council chambers…There were also four separate stand-alone pieces in the council chambers that have granite tops....”

Finished Products from California Stone in Oregon

Beaverton (near), Washington County, Oregon (?) – the Nike World Headquarters (The following information is from “Projects Utilizing Rocklin Granite,” compiled by members of the Rocklin Historical Society from various sources, 2011.)

“circa 1990’s Big Gun Mining Co. crushed quarts from Big Gun property on Michigan Bluff, CA, for...Nike World Headquarters....per Epperson family.”

Finished Products from California Stone in Pennsylvania

Gladwyne, Pennsylvania – the Shrine at Woodmont (photographs and history)

According to this web site, Sierra White granite* was used for the walls of the Shrine. (*Sierra White granite is quarried at Raymond in Madera County, California by Cold Spring Granite of Minnesota.)

Finished Products from California Stone in Texas

Dallas, Texas – Nasher Sculpture Center – the Turrell Skyspace Installation

The article entitled, “Natural stone ads to modern sculpture facility,” by Michelle Stinnard, on the Stone World web site, April 1, 2005, states that Academy Black granite was used in the construction of the Turrell Skyspace.
Fort Hood, Texas – the 1st Cavalry Memorial – The following is presented on the 1st Cavalry Division Association web site.

According to the web site, “The 1st Cavalry Division Memorial honoring the Troopers of the 1st Cavalry Division that served and sacrificed in Iraq was dedicated on 4 April 2006 ….”

“The Memorial’s panels are of black granite from Bangalore, India; from the same mountain the Vietnam Memorial granite was mined. The lettering is light gray in color, the natural color of the abraded stone, which contrasts sharply with the polished black surface, making it extremely legible. The panel base is Sierra White granite from California.”
San Antonio (near), Texas – the Center for the Intrepid, National Armed Forces Rehabilitation Center at Fort Sam Houston (photographs)

According to the Cold Spring Granite web site, Carnelian Granite, quarried at Milbank, South Dakota, was used in the construction of the Center for the Intrepid. Academy Granite, quarried at Clovis, Fresno County, California was used for the paving. Mesabi granite was used for the building base and accent pieces such as bollards and benches.

Finished Products from California Stone in Utah

American Fork, Utah - Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple – the Exterior (photograph and history) The following information is from the Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

According to this web site: “Exterior Finish: Sierra white granite* clad temple with art glass windows and bronze doors.” (* Sierra White granite is quarried at Raymond in Madera County, California.)
Salt Lake City, Utah - the American Stores Tower. The "structure is partially covered by three different building stones. (The flat top was designed for a helicopter landing pad.) The black rock, "Cold Spring Black" (trade name), was quarried near Alma in Quebec, Canada; the dark gray diorite, "Academy Black," was quarried northeast of Fresno, California in the Sierra Nevada foothills; and the light gray granite, "Rockville White," was quarried near the small town of Rockville, Minnesota. (The web site from which the above information was obtained is no longer available.)
<http://www.ugs.state.ut.us/pi-60/PI60ST19.HTM>

On the web site "Building Stones of Downtown Salt Lake City," presented by the Utah Geological Society, the following information is given: "Rockville White Granite/Rockville Granite (Minnesota) American Stores Tower, 1998." Click here to view further information on the American Stores Tower.

Finished Products from California Stone in Virginia

Bedford, Virginia – the National D-Day Memorial (photograph and history) The following information was from BAC Awards in the “2002 Craft Awards Honor Projects, Craftworkers, Heroes Stone” section. (The link from which the following information was obtained is no longer available.)
<http://www.bacweb.org/news/bac_awards/craftawards/2002/2002_stone.htm>

According to this web site, “The National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA brings together 366 tons of granite to pay tribute to those who served and lost their lives during one of the bloodiest days in American history. On that day, the small rural community of Bedford lost more of its citizens than any other American town. The $12 million complex features the Monument, an amphitheatre, and education center. Built of polished Lake Superior Green, Cold Spring Black, and Sierra White granite*….” (* Sierra White Granite is quarried at Raymond in Madera County, California.)

Finished Products from California Stone in Oregon

Fort Lewis, Pierce County, Washington – Fort Lewis (The following information is from “Projects Utilizing Rocklin Granite,” compiled by members of the Rocklin Historical Society from various sources, 2011.)

“1939 Construction, Fort Lewis, Washington”

Finished Products from California Stone in Washington, D. C.

Washington, D.C. – the Gap Store. The following information is from the list of completed projects on the Stone Panels, Inc., web site.

According to this web site, the Gap store located in Washington , D.C. was completed in 1992; and Sierra White granite* was used in the construction of the building. (* Sierra White granite was quarried at Raymond in Madera County, California.)
Washington, D.C. - Korean War Veterans Memorial (photograph)

The wall was made of "Academy Black" granite from Fresno County, California, and sand blasted in Cold Spring, Minnesota.
- Washington, D.C. – the Korean War Veterans Memorial – the Granite Panels
  
  According to this brochure in the section entitled, “Exhibit Design” (PDF) on pp. 175, Academy Black granite was used for the granite panels in the Korean War Veterans Memorial.
Washington, D.C. - Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial (photograph)

A small amount of "Academy Black" granite, quarried in California and fabricated in Cold Spring, Minnesota, was used. (The granite quarry was at Academy in Fresno County, California.)
Washington, D.C. – the National Japanese American Memorial (photographs)

According to the Cold Spring Granite web site, Academy Black granite was used for the pool in the memorial. The five boulders are of Iridian (quarried at Isle, Minnesota), and Lac Du Bonnet granite (quarried at Manitoba, Canada) was “used for the pools facing and cubic sitting benches.”
Washington, D.C. – the Sam Rayburn Congressional Office Building – Granite Benches (The following information is from “Projects Utilizing Rocklin Granite,” compiled by members of the Rocklin Historical Society from various sources, 2011.)

“1968 Granite Benches for Sam Rayburn Congressional Office Building, Washington, D.C.”

Washington, D.C. - the Washington Monument Memorial Stones - the California Memorial Stones & the Stockton, California, Memorial Stone presented by the National Park Service (photograph and history)

The National Park Service web site presents the memorial stones in placed in the interior of the Washington Monument. The California Memorial Stone stones can be viewed on the National Park Service’s web site in either the “Album” or the “Slide Show.”

The California Monumental Stone can be viewed in WAMO Stones Section 2 and Section 6. The Stockton, California, Memorial Stone can be viewed in Section 4. Below is a description that was available on the National Park Service web site in January 2008 that describes the Memorial Stones in the Washington Monument at the following web address.

“A unique feature of the Washington Monument is the 193 memorial stones that adorn the interior of the monument. Starting in July 1848 the Washington National Monument Society invited states, cities and patriotic societies to contribute Memorial Stones. The Society listed some requirements to be followed. They asked that the stone be durable, a product of the state’s soil, and meet the following dimensions; four feet long, two feet high and 18 inches thick. These stones pay tribute to the character and achievements of George Washington. These traits are not only admired by Americans but by people the world over as seen by the number of stones donated by foreign countries. Below is a list of stones donated by state. In the near future all the stones will be online.

“While viewing the stones please keep in mind that the Washington Monument has undergone extensive renovation over the last three years. A key component of the project has been the restoration of the memorial stones. Over the years the stones have been damaged by moisture and vandalism. The pictures that follow show the condition of the stones before their restoration. In the upcoming months new images will be added highlighting the restored stones.”

The California Stone in the Washington Monument:

Name: California

Level: 120-ft.

Donor: State of California

Dates: 1852-54/1850s

Original material: marble

Dimensions: 2' x 4'

Sculptor/Carver: not known

Original inscription: California. Youngest Sister of the Union Brings Her Golden Tribute to the Memory of Its Father.

Documented material history:

• 1852-54: “The legislature selected marble from the El Dorado County quarry east of the village of Ringgold...On October 29, 1852, George Marsh was paid $93 by McBride & Colburn for 15 days labor on [three] blocks for the Washington Monument. At the direction of Governor John Bigler and Colonel John F. Hall, the blocks were hauled by ox team, driven by teamster Thomas Hall, from the quarry to Sacramento. During the great Sacramento fire of November 1852, two of the three blocks were destroyed. After McBride & Colburn were paid $3000 for the marble blocks on June 29, 1853, the remaining block was shipped alone; and notice of its arrival in Washington was received on March 29, 1854.” [George W. Peabody, “California’s Memorial Stone for the Washington Monument,” California Historian, Spring 1997, p. 8.]

• 1853: “The block of marble which was prepared by the State of California for the Washington Monument, having been destroyed in the late fire in Sacramento, a new block, ordered from the Ringgold quarry, has just been received, which will be finished and sent on to Washington. It is a far more valuable specimen than the former, being beautifully variegated.” [AG, January 13, 1853.]

• 1853: “The California block of marble, destined for the Washington monument, was, it will be recollected, just after it had been completed, destroyed in the Sacramento fire. We learn from the California papers that a new block, four feet long by two deep, has been prepared...and will be forwarded immediately to Washington. [AG, January 15, 1853.]

• 1853: “The following blocks have also been received within the past week:...one from California...The California block has been substituted for a defective one of gold quartz sent some time ago, and which the Representatives of that State thought a very imperfect specimen of its mineral products. At present bears no inscription, but this will be supplied hereafter.” [DNI, June 29, 1853.]

Additional documented material information: “The marble quarries and limestone beds east of the village of Ringgold, three miles from Placerville, have been purchased by Messrs. Conrad & Titus of this place. The vein is very extensive, cropping out over a large surface of country. The marble is of every color and variety, white, dark, and a beautiful mottled, is of very fine grain and susceptible of the highest polish. Its superiority over any other marble in the State, is evidenced by the fact that the Legislature selected the block contributed by the State to the Washington Monument from this quarry, and it received the highest encomiums from the press.” [Newspaper clipping, n.d.; NACC.]

Images:

• 1880 Gedney drawing

• 1957 Allen photograph

• 1974 photograph

• 1980 photograph

• 2000 NPS slides

The California Stone in the WashingtonMonument:

Name or description: California (various)

Documented information:

• 1850: “From California, a block of gold quartz, also to be placed in a panel of white marble, with the name of the State.” [DNI, August 7, 1850.]

• 1850: “...From ore obtained at Mariposa Diggings, near John Fremont’s mine, W.L. Smith prepared a 125 pound block of gold bearing quartz, appropriately chiseled ‘California, Youngest Sister of the Union, Brings Her Golden Tribute to the Memory of its Father.’ The bock was completed by May 21, 1850...Sadly, this appropriate and timely block of gold bearing quartz was rejected as unworthy by Representatives in Congress and citizens of Washington; and, the stone disappeared shortly thereafter.” [George W. Peabody, “California’s Memorial Stone for the Washington Monument,” California Historian, Spring 1997, p. 8.]

• 1850: “The block for the Washington Monument, presented by California, has reached Washington city. To-morrow it will be presented to the Monument Association by the California delegation.” [State Gazette ( Trenton ), July 29, 1850.]

• 1852: “We learn from the San Francisco papers that three beautiful marble slabs are now being prepared from the Ringgold quarries, for the National Washington Monument. They are to be four feet in length and two feet in width and of different colors. One has a very correct representation of the Sierra Nevada mountains ingrained upon its surface in natural colors.” [AG, October 11, 1852.]

• 1852-54: “The legislature selected marble from the El Dorado County quarry east of the village of Ringgold, three miles east of Placerville. On October 29, 1852, George Marsh was paid $93 by McBride & Colburn for 15 days labor on [three] blocks for the Washington Monument. At the direction of Governor John Bigler and Colonel John F. Hall, the blocks were hauled by ox team... from the quarry to Sacramento. During the great Sacramento fire of November 1852, two of the three blocks were destroyed. After McBride & Colburn were paid $3000 for the marble blocks on June 29, 1853, the remaining block was shipped alone; and notice of its arrival in Washington was received on March 29, 1854....” [Peabody, p. 8.]

• 1857: “There were other stones donated from localities in California. One such stone was received at the monument from the mines of Columbia, Tuolumne County, California, dated July 4, 1857. It contained gold quartz stars, and is said to have been lost when the ship Flying Dutchman went down off the New Jersey coast. The stone was retrieved from the sea and shipped to Washington, only to disappear and not be listed on the lapidarium inventory of 1874 [sic].” [Peabody, p. 8.]

• 1860: “On July 2, 1860, a stone was received at the monument from Indian Diggings, El Dorado County, California. It too disappeared before the lapidarium inventory of 1874 [sic].” [ Peabody, p. 8.]

The California Stockton, California Stone in the Washington Monument: (No. 4)

Name: Stockton, California

Level: 250-ft.

Donor: Citizens of Stockton, San Joaquin County, California

Dates: 1859/1889

Original materials: granite, gold leaf on letters

Dimensions: 1' 11" x 3' 11"

Sculptor/Carver: Andrew Vinson. [stone]

Original inscription: The Citizens of Stockton, San Joaquin Co. California. A tribute of respect to the father of our country. George Washington. 1859.

Documented material history:

• 1860: “The stone was received at the Monument Grounds April 28, 1860.” [MR]

• 1880: “...in Lapidarium” [CG]

Images:

• 1880 Gedney drawing

• 1957 Allen photograph

• 1974 photograph

• 1980 photograph

• 2000 NPS slides

Washington, D.C. - a Marble Stone for the Washington Monument circa 1852 (From Geologic Guidebook Along Highway 49 - Sierran Gold Belt: The Mother Lode Country, Bulletin 141, Olaf P. Jenkins, Chief, California Division of Mines, San Francisco, California, 1949. Used with permission, California Department of Conservation, California Geological Survey.)

"...E. R. Roberts of Stockton established a marble yard at Columbia in 1857, and in that year a block of Columbia marble was sent to the national capital to be put in the Washington Monument. In 1852 a block of marble from the Ringgold quarry measuring 48 by 22 by 22 inches and weighing 2700 pounds was cut for the Washington Monument, but whether it arrived does not appear to be recorded in the account printed in the Alta California, Dec. 3, 1852...."
Washington, D.C. – the World War II Memorial – the Rainbow Pool – The following information was obtained from the National Park Service – View of the National Parks web site.

“The World War II Memorial honors all those who contributed to the strength and unity of the United States throughout the Second World War from 1941 to 1945. Gold stars, granite columns and arches, bronze sculptures, and several fountains enhance the memorial plaza that sits between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. The placement of the World War II Memorial on the east-west axis of the National Mall influenced its construction, architectural design, and symbolism. This is not the first memorial in Washington, DC to tell the stories and events of this generation of Americans….”

“The primary building materials at the WWII Memorial are granite and bronze. The granite walls, columns, and arches come from South Carolina while the granite pavers on the plaza floor come from Georgia. To add more color, stone pavers that blend with the green bronze in the memorial came all the way from Brazil! The reconstructed Rainbow Pool is rimmed with granite from Mount Airy, North Carolina (and) with dark Academy Black Granite from California on the pool’s floor.”

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