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

• Sullivan, Hancock, Maine - “A History of Shipbuilding and Granite (in Sullivan, Maine),” by Mark Honey, in The Ellsworth American. 

  In this article the author states that the Sullivan granite industry began in the 1830s and expanded after the Civil War due to the large demand for paving and building stone.  In the 1870s there were four major quarries at Sullivan, and by 1887 there were six major quarries.  Men from England, Scotland, and Ireland were employed in the quarries.  In the 1890s the quarry industry began to decline; but, in the early 1900s it once again briefly flourished until after 1910 when the industry rapidly declined into obscurity.   Structures in which Sullivan granite was used include:  the "'Granite Block' on Main Street in Ellsworth; a dry dock in Brooklyn, N.Y.; and a jail at St. Andrews, New Brunswick, among other structures." 

• Sullivan, Maine - the Crabtree & Havey Quarry in Sullivan  (From The Granites of Maine, Bulletin 313, 1907.)

  Crabtree Quarry - Plate V-A.  South side, showing irregularity in Thickness of sheets owing to their lenticular form; also 9 black knots.  The cuts are along grain and hard way.

  Havey Quarry - Plate V-B.  East wall, showing lenticular form of sheets in cross section on a joint face.{insert text here}

• Sullivan, Maine - the Crabtree & Havey 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 Sullivan, three-fourths mile from Sullivan River."  the operator was the H. H. Havey & Co. of North Sullivan, Maine.  Granite from the quarry was reportedly a medium-gray color with a fine to medium texture.  Transport of the granite was by cart three-fourths mile to the wharf.

  The Crabtree and Havey Quarry opened in 1865.  When the quarry was measured in 1905 it was 300 feet north to south, 200 feet east to west and had a depth from 10 to feet.  Granite from the quarry was used mainly for curbing and crossings.

• Sullivan, Hancock County, Maine - the Crabtree and Havey Granite Quarry  (medium gray color)  This stone was used for curbing and crossings in Boston, Massachusetts, Providence, Rhode Island, New York City, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Baltimore Maryland, and Charleston, South Carolina.  (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. 13.)
• Sullivan, Maine - The Dunbar Quarry, from The Commercial Granites of New England, Bulletin 738, by T. Nelson Dale, U. S. Geological Survey, 1923.

  This quarry was located “2 1/2 miles northwest of Sullivan village, in the town of Sullivan.”  The operator was Dunbar Bros. of Sullivan, Maine.  Granite from the quarry was reportedly a medium gray color with a coarse to medium texture.  Transport of the granite was by cart 1 1/4 miles to the wharf.

  The Dunbar Quarry opened in 1901.  When the quarry was measured in 1905 it was 250 by 100 feet and had a depth from 4 to 8 feet.  Granite from the quarry was used for random stone, curbing, and paving.

• Sullivan, Hancock County, Maine - the Dunbar Brothers Granite Quarry (Whalesback Quarry)  (medium gray color)  Stone from this quarry was used for random curbing and paving in Boston, Massachusetts; New York City, New York; and Philadelphia, 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 M. B. Austin and A. M. Huseey, II, John R. Rand, State Geologist, May 1, 1958, pp. 13.)
• Sullivan, Maine - the Hooper, Havey & Co.'s Quarry, from The Commercial Granites of New England, Bulletin 738, by T. Nelson Dale, U. S. Geological Survey, 1923.

  This quarry was located in North Sullivan.  The granite from this quarry was reportedly a medium-gray color with a fine to medium texture.  Transport of the granite was by cart half a mile to the wharf.

  The Hooper, Havey & Co.'s Quarry opened about 1894.  When the quarry was measured in 1905, it was 300 by 150 feet and had a depth from 15 to 20 feet.  Granite from the quarry was used as "random" stone, street material, curbing, crossings, and paving blocks.

• Sullivan, Hancock County, Maine - the Hooper, Havey & Company Granite Quarry  (medium gray color)  Stone from this quarry was used for random and street material in 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.)
• Sullivan, Hancock County, Maine - the Hopewell Granite Quarry  (light to medium gray color)  (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.)
• Sullivan, Maine - The Pettee Quarry, from The Commercial Granites of New England, Bulletin 738, by T. Nelson Dale, U. S. Geological Survey, 1923.

  This quarry was located "three-fourths mile north of East Sullivan, on the road to Tunk Pond."  The owner was J. A. Pettee of East Sullivan, Maine.  Granite from the quarry was reportedly a very dark gray color with a fine to medium texture.  The quarry measured "only 15 by 15 feet and 8 feet deep (and) is on the west side of a knoll 20 to 25 feet high."

  Granite from the Pettee Quarry was only quarried occasionally in small blocks for monuments.

• Sullivan, Hancock County, Maine - the Pettee Black Granite Quarry  (very dark gray color)  Stone from this quarry was used as small blocks for monuments and for other monumental work.  (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. 24.)
• Sullivan, Maine - The Sinclair Prospect, from The Commercial Granites of New England, Bulletin 738, by T. Nelson Dale, U. S. Geological Survey, 1923.

  This quarry was "1 1/2 miles north of East Sullivan, on Herbert and Thaddeus Sinclair's (formerly Smith Bean's) farm, near Charles Dowel's sawmill."  The rock (black granite) was reportedly an almost black shade with white blotches having a medium to coarse texture.  "The ledge (was) exposed for a length of 50 feet north-south and a height of 20 feet.  A vertical joint strikes N. 20° W.  An opening 10 by 5 feet and 5 feet deep was made here in 1902."

• Sullivan, Hancock County, Maine - the Sinclair Black Granite Quarry  (almost black color)  (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. 28.)
• Sullivan, Maine - the Stimson Granite Quarries, from The Commercial Granites of New England, Bulletin 738, by T. Nelson Dale, U. S. Geological Survey, 1923.

  This quarry was located in Sullivan.  Granite from the quarry was reportedly a medium-gray color with a fine to medium texture.  The quarry had three openings, and the main opening measured 200 feet square and had a depth from 15 to 30 feet.  Transport of the granite was by cart half a mile to the wharf.

• Sullivan, Hancock County, Maine - the Stimson Granite Quarries  (medium gray color)  (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. 28.)
• Sullivan, Hancock, Maine – the Whales Back Granite Quarry (Granite) (operation began in 2004) The following information and photographs were provided by Roger M. Woodbury, the original owner of the quarry; and they are used with his permission. I especially appreciate Roger Woodbury’s sharing the history and photographs of his quarry as this is the first time I’ve been provided with the actual history of one of the present-day quarries. Peggy B. Perazzo

  A few of the projects in which the Whales Back granite was used for includes the Schoodic National Scenic Byway sign, decorative curbing, stone piers, and other uses. The name of the granite quarried from the Whales Back quarry is Sullivan Silver Star™.

  While the Whales Back quarry ceased operation in July 2008, they have continued some limited operations, principally devoted to site maintenance and shipping of excess stone since that time.  (If you are interested in stone for sculpting, Roger Woodbury owns another parcel that has a great deal of miscellaneous tailing material on it that could be used for sculpting.  Feel free to contact him.)

  The quarry is presently for sale or long-term lease (November 2010); and if you would like more information about the quarry, you will find the most current information on Roger Woodbury’s “Whales Back Quarry” site.

  If you’d like to read Roger Woodbury’s account of the quarry’s establishment and operation and view more photographs of the quarry, stone, and the finished projects, you will find them in the “Whales Back Granite Quarry” section of our web site.

  

  Panorama view of the Whales Back granite quarry that produces the Sullivan Silver Star™ granite

  Loading blocks of Sullivan Silver Star™ granite onto truckbed in spring 2007

  Closeup photo of the Whales Back granite quarry

  Blocks of Sullivan Silver Star™ granite from the Whales Back quarry

• Sullivan, Hancock County, Maine - the Worster (Russell) Granite Quarry  (medium gray color)  (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. 31.)
• Swans Island, Maine - the Baird Quarry, from The Commercial Granites of New England, Bulletin 738, by T. Nelson Dale, U. S. Geological Survey, 1923.

  This quarry was "on Swans Island, east side of the old harbor, not quite 1 mile east of Swans Island village and three-fourths mile southeast of Minturn."  The operator was Matthew Baird Contracting Co., 433 East Ninety-second Street, New York.  The granite from the quarry was reportedly a medium pinkish-buff color with a medium to coarse texture.  Transport of the granite was by gravity and cable on a track 1,200 feet to the wharf.

  The Baird Quarry opened in 1901.  In 1905 the quarry measured 500 by 250 feet and had an average depth from 15 to 18 feet.

  The granite from this quarry was used for random stone, dimension stone, and paving stone.  The stone was transported to the company's cutting works in New York.

• Swan's Island, Hancock County, Maine - the Baird Granite Quarry  (medium pinkish buff gray color) Structures in which this stone was used include:    Random, dimension, and paving stone in New York City, New York.  (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. 7.)
• Swans Island, Maine - the Toothachers Cove Quarry, from The Commercial Granites of New England, Bulletin 738, by T. Nelson Dale, U. S. Geological Survey, 1923.

  This quarry was "near the end of toothachers" cove, in the western part of Swans Island, 1 1/2 miles north-northwest of Swans Island village.  Granite from the quarry was reportedly a medium pinkish-gray color with a coarse texture.

  The Toothachers Cove quarry measured 50 by 25 feet with a working face of 20 feet high in 1905.  There were two other small openings.  The quarry was idle in 1905 and in 1917.

• Swan's Island, Hancock County, Maine - the Tootbakers Cove Granite Quarry  (medium pinkish gray color)  Stone from this quarry was used for random and veneer - 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. 30.)
• Swanville, Maine – Oak Hill Granite Co. (The following information is from the section “Marble and Granite” in Stone: An Illustrated Magazine Devoted to Stone, Marble, Granite, Slate, Cement, Contracting and Building, Vol. XXIV, No. 1, January, 1902, Stone Publishing Co., New York , pp. 61.)

  Oak Hill Granite Co.

  Efforts are being made to open the Oak Hill Granite Co. at Swanville, Maine. The granite is blue gray in color and was formerly in large demand for monumental work. The quarry has been closed for some years.

• Swanville, Waldo County, Maine - the Oak Hill 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 Swanville, on Oak Hill, about 6 miles north-northwest of Belfast."  Granite from the quarry was reportedly a slightly bluish dark-gray color and had a fine texture.  Transport of the granite was by cart one-fourth mile to the siding from Sargents Crossing on the Maine Central Railroad.  Formerly the quarry was leased to the New England Granite Co. of Westerly.

  The Oak Hill Quarry opened about 1872 and consisted of several openings.  The largest opening measured 175 by 100 feet, and had a working face 60 feet high at the time of the report.

  The granite from the quarry was used for monumental uses.  "The stone is the darkest of the fine-textured granites of the State.and is finer textured than the blue granite of Westerly, R. I."

• Swanville, Waldo County, Maine - the Oak Hill Granite Quarries  (slightly bluish gray color) Structures in which this stone was used include:  a twenty-story building in Boston, Massachusetts (unnamed); the Holland Tunnel in New York City; and curbing on College Avenue, Waterville, Maine.  (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. 23.)
• Tenants Harbor, Maine - Long Cove Quarry  (present-day photograph of Chapel). Presented by Tim Hilliard on Tim's Maine Pictures site  (scroll down to the photograph) 
• Tenants Harbor, Maine - the Wildcat Stone Quarry (photograph), presented by Tim Hilliard on the "Tim's Maine Pictures" section of his Tim's Travel web site.
• Thomaston, Maine - the Dragon Cement Plant (present-day company), Dragon Products Co., Old County Road, Thomaston, ME 04861; (207) 354-6900. The following quotation is taken from A Guidebook to Mining In America: Volume 2:  East (Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, and farther East), 2000, by John R. Park.  The quotation is used with the permission of the author.)  Mr. Park  writes

  "Group tours of the Dragon Cement Plant are available by appointment.  The plant is probably clearly viewable from adjacent public right-of-ways.

  "The Dragon Cement Plant is the only cement plant in New England.  As of the mid-1990s, 750,000 tons of limestone are mined annually to supply the plant.  Local limestone quarrying began in the early-1800s.  The limestone was used for agriculture and manufacture of wall plaster."

• Thomaston, Maine - Lime Quarry near Thomaston, Maine 

  (colorized postcard photograph; The Hugh C. Leighton Co., Manufacturers, Portland, ME., USA; made in Germany 8333; unmailed, early 1900s) {insert text here}

• Thomaston, Maine - Limestone Quarrying Operations (circ 1967) (From Mining and Mineral Operations in the United States: A Visitor’s Guide, by Staff, Bureau of Mines, Area Mineral Resource Offices, U. S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, 1967, pp. 30.)

  “U.S. 1. - Several of the more interesting present-day mining industry operations are visible from the highways. At Thomaston, Maine, the quarrying operations to supply New England’s only cement plant have tunneled right under U.S. 1. From the road on either side, and to the south is a clear view of the cement plant on the far side of the quarry operation.”

• Thomaston, Maine - the Thomaston Prison Quarry, Thomaston, Maine (photographs and history), Web text and photographs by R. Marvinney, Quarry Geology by H. Berry, from the Geologic Site of the Month - May 2002, Maine Geological Survey.  (Sections include:  "Regional Geology" and the "Geology of the prison quarry.")
• Topsham, Maine - Russell Bros. Gem Quarry. History of Intergalactic Involvement at the Russell Bros. Quarry in Topsham, Maine, presented by Intergalactic Mining.  (Also see Dennis Creaser's web site, "Creaser Jewelers," to view some of the jewelry created from the stones from this area.)
• Topsham, Maine - the Square Pit Quarry (photographs), presented by Quarry Adventures.
• Topsham, Maine - the Trenton Quarry (photographs), presented by Quarry Adventures.
• Tremont, Mount Desert Island, Maine - The Carroll 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 Tremont, on Mount Desert Island, at Southwest Harbor."  The operator was John Carroll of Southwest Harbor, Maine.  Granite from the quarry was reportedly a pinkish-greenish medium-gray color with a medium texture. 

  The Carroll Quarry measured 100 feet north to south by over 30 feet east to west and had a working face on the east 15 feet high in 1905.  The quarry was only occasionally worked, and the granite was used locally for foundations.

• Tremont, Hancock County, Maine - the Carroll Granite Quarry  (pinkish, greenish, medium gray color)  Stone from this quarry was used for foundations - 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. 12.)
• Tremont, Hancock County, Maine - the Seal Cove Granite Quarries  (dark gray color)  Stone from this quarry was used for paving - 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. 27.)
• Twitchell Corner, Maine - Sandstone Quarry - Geological Features
  • History of Twitchell Corner Sandstone Quarry

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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.