Contributed by Hubbard Free Library
Description
John Hains came to Hallowell in 1785 and purchased land three miles west of the village. His property included a large amount of easily worked surface granite and came to be known as Hains Ledge.
The first stone taken out was used for foundation stones, mill stones and door steps. Beginning in 1815 large stones were cut and shipped to Boston for the cornice stones of Quincy Market. Large scale commercial quarrying began after the Civil War when the Hallowell Granite Company and the Bodwell Granite Company were organized. Hallowell's prized white granite became very popular and was used in ornamental building stone, statuary and public monuments throughout the United States.
When concrete and steel became the construction materials of choice the granite industry went into decline. The last commercial activity in the Hains Quarry took place in the early 1950s when Lewis Gipson worked alone to produce gravestones on demand.
About This Item
- Title: Hains Ledge Quarry, Lithgow Hill, Hallowell, ca. 1890
- Creation Date: circa 1890
- Subject Date: circa 1890
- Location: Hains Ledge Quarry, Hallowell, Kennebec County, ME
- Media: Photographic print
- Dimensions: 24.5 cm x 31.5 cm
- Local Code: CP008001
- Collection: Gerald Mahoney Collection
- Object Type: Image
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Granite industry and trade--Maine--Hallowell
- Granite quarrying--Equipment and supplies--Maine--Hallowell
- Granite quarrying--Maine--Hallowell
- Granite--Maine--Hallowell
- Hallowell Granite Works
- Laborers--Maine--Hallowell
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For more information about this item, contact:
Hubbard Free Library115 Second Street, Hallowell, ME 04347
(207) 622-6882
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