A Stone Cold Work of Art

Vermont is noted for a number of important things: Maple syrup, Grumpy residents, and Granite. In the 1800's the large deposits of granite began to be mined. The area around Barre (pronounces Barry), Vermont is known as the Granite Capitol of the country. Just east of Barre is an area know as Graniteville, where dozens of quarries operated a hundred years ago. Now there are only two, and of those, we chose to visit Rock of Ages. Rock of Ages specializes in mausoleums, crypts, and monuments at burial sites. The quarry is huge, with more than 50 workmen onsite, and removes large blocks of granite, some weighing as much as 25 tons. Even so, it is estimated that at the current rate of removal, there will be enough granite to last 4,500 years!

The quarry walls show how the blocks are removed. Large derricks and cranes are supported with guy wires and reach down to remove the stone.

Several areas have been mined over the years, and groundwater and rainwater have intruded into the quarries. The current working quarry has a light color due to sediment that comes from drilling operations.

Each large block of stone is removed by drilling a series of horizontal holes along what will be the bottom of the block. Explosive charges are set, and the bottom is "shot", effectively cutting the block of stone away from the wall. Then vertical holes are drilled from the top down to define the back side of the block, with wedges driven into the holes putting stress along the line of holes. The loosened block is then repositioned so that it can be worked into smaller sections safely. In this photo, the block is setting between the small red house and the yellow scaffolding. A cut has been made along the top in preparation for a custom shaped piece.

And here, the custom cut piece is being raised to the top of the quarry, where it will be transported to the finishing building, which is divided into three parallel sections.

In this first pic, in the distance, the rough cut stone is brought in and recut into appropriated sizes.

Each section of the building is equipped with two 10 ton cranes.

The initial sizing is done here.

And in this pic, each slab is polished as determined by the design.

In the second section, sandblasting occurs, sometimes several times with ever more intricate designs.

In the final section, cleaning and pressure washing occurs along with final inspection.

And finally, each monument is crated for shipment and eventual placement as an everlasting memorial.

We were directed to a local cemetery where many stonemasons are buried. Most stonemasons were of Italian descent in the early days, and their families placed ornate monuments in their honor. Hope Cemetery is only a few miles from the quarry, and so most, if not all, of the stone in the cemetery comes from it. Known as Barre Grey, the stone retains its color and integrity longer than most other "rocks".

At the end of the day, we joined our neighbors at Lake Champagne Campground for a dinner at a local burger joint. Crowded and hot, we were a bit skeptical as we entered, and our fears were well-founded. The service was sketchy, with dinner arriving at different times, and the "custom" toppings we ordered were somehow lost, but the burgers tasted ok, and the company was great.

Our dinner companions, Brian and Julie, are enjoying a new phase in their lives. They have just recently re-invented themselves and their careers, purchased a wonderful rv, and set out for new adventures. They have so many things to see, wonder at, and enjoy! Donna and I wish them all the best, and thoroughly enjoyed their company in Vermont!