Contributed by Monson Historical Society
Description
Slate was discovered in the town of Monson by William Giffith Jones in the summer of 1870 and life changed dramatically for the residents of this small Piscataquis County town. Multiple quarries were opened over the years which were operated by a number of companies. This photo depicts a single worker being "hoisted" in the quarry owned by Monson Maine Slate Company and this quarry was known as the Monson Pond pit. The "hoist" operator located in the small building in the background would raise and lower the box with workers as well as lifting the slate out of the quarries. A series of bells were used to let him know when the load was ready, when workers were ready to come to the top, etc. It was a very dangerous line of work for these mainly Swedish and Finnish immigrants and many workers were killed or injured.
About This Item
- Title: Man in hoist box, ca. 1910
- Creation Date: circa 1910
- Subject Date: circa 1910
- Location: Monson-Maine, Monson, Piscataquis County, ME
- Media: Postcard
- Dimensions: 6.98 cm x 2.71 cm
- Object Type: Image
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Cranes, derricks, etc.
- Finnish Americans--Maine
- Monson Maine Slate Company
- Monson Maine Slate Company (Me.)--Employees
- Monson Maine Slate Company (Me.)--Equipment and supplies
- Monson Pond Quarry (Monson, Me.)
- Portland-Monson Slate Company
- Quarries and quarrying--Maine--Monson
- Slate industry--Maine--Monson
- Stone industry and trade
- Swedish Americans--Maine
Other Keywords
- hoist
- hoister house
- Monson Maine Slate Companyslate quarry
- Monson Pond quarry
- slate
- slate quarry
- slate worker
- Swedish-Finnish worker
For more information about this item, contact:
Monson Historical SocietyPO Box 308, Monson, ME 04464
(207) 876-3073
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