Maine Dix Island Granite

Dix island granite company ca 1880.

Maine dix island granite.

The dix island granite company started operations in 1856. In 1871 authorities responsible for building the new capitol in albany new york visited dix as well a quarries in hallowell and vinalhaven. The largest quarry is on the. While private its owners welcome polite visits from day tripping boaters.

Dix island is about three miles off the coast of rockland maine. Dixon owners of the company shipped the first granite pilasters on the schooner mary cobb to morgan s wharf at washington d c. Horace beals and c. Treasury building in washington d c.

The schooner ephraim williams built for beals and dixon also carried stone for the treasury building. Mount desert maine 04660. The organizing meeting of the granite cutters union was held at clark island in the town of st. Vinalhaven had 1200 1500 men working at its peak.

Some of the unique features on the island include three water filled quarry pits. Original five page article not a copy from vintage magazine 1963 the stone age of dix island by norman drinkwater jr. Very interesting and informative article about dix island a smaller than most of the other links in the chain of mussel ridge islands huddled together seven or eight miles south of rockland maine. Today it s home to a handful of summer houses.

When beals acquired it along with several neighboring islands dix was a tiny potential granite quarry. Granite from crotch island and the islands of vinalhaven hurricane swan s dix and high was used in such well known buildings as rockefeller center chicago s board of trade the. George on january 2 1877. Dixon owners of the company shipped the first granite pilasters on the schooner mary cobb to morgan s wharf at washington d c.

After being closed for the first part of the summer the museum will now be open by appointment to couples and small family groups. The dix island granite company started operations in 1856. According to the united states geological survey starting in the 1850 s granite quarried at dix island maine was shipped by sea to washington and was used for facings and columns in the treasury building the new york and philadelphia post offices were also built with granite from the island. And its fascinating history of granite quarrying filled with.

Contributed by the maine granite industry historical society. C all 244 7299 to reserve your visit. The first building contract was for the u s. Nearby dix island hosted a very active granite industry in the 1870 s.

The first building contract was for the u s. You must wear a face mask and keep the required distance during your visit. Treasury building in washington d c. Horace beals and c.

On hurricane island the work force rose to over 600 in 1878 five years after the quarry opened. 62 beech hill cross road.