Maine Dix Island Granite

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.

Maine dix island granite.

Horace beals and c. The dix island granite company started operations in 1856. We will be open daily through october from 10 am to 4 pm. After the mining operations and periodic post mining use of the buildings ceased circa 1914 the island was once again abandoned.

In 1871 authorities responsible for building the new capitol in albany new york visited dix as well a quarries in hallowell and vinalhaven. The first building contract was for the u s. On hurricane island the work force rose to over 600 in 1878 five years after the quarry opened. Vinalhaven had 1200 1500 men working at its peak.

The organizing meeting of the granite cutters union was held at clark island in the town of st. George on january 2 1877. Contributed by the maine granite industry historical society. After being closed for the first part of the summer the museum will now be open by appointment to couples and small family groups.

Some of the unique features on the island include three water filled quarry pits. Because of granite towns grew rapidly in places like vinalhaven dix island and hurricane island. You must wear a face mask and keep the required distance during your visit. Dixon owners of the company shipped the first granite pilasters on the schooner mary cobb to morgan s wharf at washington d c.

62 beech hill cross road. Dix island is about three miles off the coast of rockland maine. Horace beals and c. Today it s home to a handful of summer houses.

The first building contract was for the u s. The largest quarry is on the. C all 244 7299 to reserve your visit. The schooner ephraim williams built for beals and dixon also carried stone for the treasury building.

Treasury building in washington d c. When beals acquired it along with several neighboring islands dix was a tiny potential granite quarry. Dixon owners of the company shipped the first granite pilasters on the schooner mary cobb to morgan s wharf at washington d c. The dix island granite company started operations in 1856.

Dix island granite company ca 1880. And its fascinating history of granite quarrying filled with. 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. 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.

Treasury building in washington d c. While private its owners welcome polite visits from day tripping boaters.