Maine Dix Island Granite

On hurricane island the work force rose to over 600 in 1878 five years after the quarry opened.

Maine dix island granite.

Horace beals and c. Because of granite towns grew rapidly in places like vinalhaven dix island and hurricane island. Original five page article not a copy from vintage magazine 1963 the stone age of dix island by norman drinkwater jr. The schooner ephraim williams built for beals and dixon also carried stone for the treasury building.

And its fascinating history of granite quarrying filled with. Treasury building in washington d c. According to the united states geological survey starting in the 1850 s granite quarried at dix island maine was shipped by sea to washington and was used for facings and columns in the treasury building the new york and philadelphia post offices were also built with granite from the island. We will be open daily through october from 10 am to 4 pm.

Dix island granite company ca 1880. The first building contract was for the u s. Very interesting and informative article about dix island a smaller than most of the other links in the chain of mussel ridge islands huddled together seven or eight miles south of rockland maine. Vinalhaven had 1200 1500 men working at its peak.

Dixon owners of the company shipped the first granite pilasters on the schooner mary cobb to morgan s wharf at washington d c. The dix island granite company started operations in 1856. You must wear a face mask and keep the required distance during your visit. Horace beals and c.

Dix island is about three miles off the coast of rockland maine. Contributed by the maine granite industry historical society. C all 244 7299 to reserve your visit. Mount desert maine 04660.

After the mining operations and periodic post mining use of the buildings ceased circa 1914 the island was once again abandoned. George on january 2 1877. Nearby dix island hosted a very active granite industry in the 1870 s. Today it s home to a handful of summer houses.

In 1871 authorities responsible for building the new capitol in albany new york visited dix as well a quarries in hallowell and vinalhaven. 62 beech hill cross road. After being closed for the first part of the summer the museum will now be open by appointment to couples and small family groups. Granite from crotch island and the islands of vinalhaven hurricane swan s dix and high was used in such well known buildings as rockefeller center chicago s board of trade the.

Some of the unique features on the island include three water filled quarry pits. The first building contract was for the u s. When beals acquired it along with several neighboring islands dix was a tiny potential granite quarry. The organizing meeting of the granite cutters union was held at clark island in the town of st.

While private its owners welcome polite visits from day tripping boaters. Treasury building in washington d c.