Booth Bros. Granite Quarry, Jonesboro, Me. 505.

LB2007.1.114455

114455

[included in the exhibit "Washington County Through Eastern's Eye"] LB2007.1.114455 Booth Bros. Granite Quarry, Jonesboro, Me. 505. Jonesboro flourished during the heyday of granite quarrying in Maine due the area's geology and ready access to water transportation. The industry had a major economic impact on the town. In addition to Booth Brothers, Jonesboro's important quarry operatings included Fish Quarry. Eastern Maine Granite Company, and the Bodwll Granaite Company. Tombsones and Paving Blocks, The History of the Maine Granite Industry, by Roger L. Grindle, describes Booth Brothers' Jonesboro operation: In 1896 Booth Brothers of Hurricane Isle Granite Co., 208 Broadway, New York acquired a major contract for the Girard estate in Philadelphia which called for Jonesboro granite, so Booth Brothers bought a quarry in Jonesboro to assure their supply of red granite. At Jonesboro, General Mitchell, who had the contract for the construction of the Washington County Railroad, built a track from Booth Brothers' new quarry to the landing. The one and one half mile line was completed by the end of the season, and 'patent cars of modern design' ran down to the newly constructed wharf by gravity and were hauled back up by steam. The dark red granite from this quarry was judged superior to the Scottish red granite for most monumental work. Some 1,500 tons of this stone were quarried in the month of November alone, most of which was shipped to Hurricane by the steamer Panuco. The quarry was located behind Harry O. Watts' homestead. Today it is referred to as "little quarry." Caption information from "Tombsones and Paving Blocks, The History of the Maine Granite Industry" by Roger L. Grindle and "The History of Jonesboro Maine Bicentennial 1809-2009"