Hains Ledge Quarry, Lithgow Hill, Hallowell, ca. 1890

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.

View/Add Comments


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

People

Other Keywords


For more information about this item, contact:

Hubbard Free Library
115 Second Street, Hallowell, ME 04347
(207) 622-6882
Website

Use of this Item is not restricted by copyright and/or related rights, but the holding organization is contractually obligated to limit use. For more information, please contact the contributing organization. However, watermarked Maine Memory Network images may be used for educational purposes.

How to cite content on this site


Please post your comment below to share with others. If you'd like to privately share a comment or correction with MMN staff, please send us a message with this link.