Barre City, Barre Town, Graniteville and Websterville make up
Vermont's "Rock of Ages" granite quarries and are the largest and
deepest dimensional granite quarries in the world; the deepest of
which in Graniteville reaches more than 600 feet into the earth. At
the turn of the twentieth century there were 29 operating quarries
on the hillside. Mineralogically the granite here is similar to
other granites, except Rock of Ages granite composition is such
that it weathers extremely well, its color does not fade and it
does not absorb very much water.
"Rock of Ages" discards 85 percent of the granite it recovers
from the quarry due to imperfections in the stone. The scrap ends
up in tremendous grout piles - Scottish for "waste". Some of the
piles are more than 100' high and over 100 years old.
Granite rocks are igneous rocks formed by slowly cooling pockets
of magma trapped beneath the earth's surface. Igneous rocks form
from molten rock which is either ejected at the surface of the
earth or cools underground. Igneous rocks make up 95% of the rocks
of the earth's crust. They are also some of the oldest rocks found
at the surface of the earth. Igneous rocks are classed on the basis
of where they form and the composition of the molten rock. Magma
originates from the melting of the earth's crust and upper mantle.
This melting occurs about a depth of 60 to 200 km. As pockets of
magma cool slowly underground, the magma becomes an igneous rock.
This molten rock is less dense than the solid rock, so it rises
towards the surface. Molten rock that cools before it reaches the
surface hardens to become intrusive igneous rock. Because it forms
deep beneath the earth's surface, it has more time to cool and
develops large crystals. Intrusive rocks include granite.
The minerals which make up granite are composed of silicon and
oxygen. Granite is made out of big crystals; you can easily see
them with the naked eye. This is because the granite cooled slowly
underground, shielded by the rock surrounding it so that its great
heat could escape slowly. Granite is made out of feldspar and
quartz, plus minor amounts of other minerals. Feldspar and quartz
are light minerals. Therefore, when hot molten rock is coming up
from the mantle, some minerals grow crystals and then later, others
form. If the magma (liquid rock) keeps moving, those early crystals
are left behind, until finally what are left are mostly the
ingredients for feldspar and quartz. The result: granite.
It is pretty hard to miss the products that come out of these
quarries. If you have a granite monument or building in town, or if
you have visited the World War II monument in Washington, DC, then
you have been witness to the local artists who actually "sculpt"
the granite. The simplistic Joseph Smith memorial (born in Vermont
and founder of the present-day Mormon Church) in Sharon, Vermont
was quarried in Barre. It is reputedly the tallest free-standing
granite obelisk in the world and also a Virtual cache. Most of the
granite facades in Barre and Montpelier, including the Vermont
State House are from Barre granite. The local Barre Post Office is
one of the last surviving local structures built entirely out of
granite. Granite headstones in many cemeteries in the USA were
likely quarried and crafted locally in Barre City.
Your job is to visit the quarries. Remember, the work is
seasonal. The quarry is closed from mid October to late May due to
winter weather, but you can claim a find any time of year by
visiting the following and emailing me the anwers.
This EarthCache is a 5-part multi that requires correct emails
to questions asked about the Rock of Ages Granite Quarries. To
claim a find you need to visit the sites and answer all the
questions correctly from 4 of the 5 sites. Please do not encrypt
any spoilers of your little tour or your log will be deleted.
THE FOLLOWING STOPS ARE IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER:
Travel to the Barre Medium Quarry at N44 09.139 W072 27.532
Q: How deep was the quarry before it was closed?
Q: The trim for what building in Barre City was quarried here?
On to the Little-John and Milne Quarry at N44 09.233 W072
27.636.
Q: Where did the founders of this quarry both emigrate from?
Q: How many independent quarries were operating within 1 mile?
Stay within the perimeter of the observation fencing at N44
09.770 W072 28.235.
Q: How many granite quarries were around before this one?
Q: Who opened the quarry, and about what year did this occur?
Park at the old Rock of Ages Visitor's Center at N44 08.757 W072
28.845.
Go to the south side of the lot behind the flag poles. STAY ON
THE PATH! Notice the huge Douglas fir trees once used as derricks
beside the path. An entire tree was used as a single derrick for
strength. Follow the path to the area near N44 08.661 W072 28.862.
(Make sure you read the faded blue signs nearby. It explains the
differences between the blocks.)
Q: What does it say on the "Hercules" boiler plate? (Go
inside.)
Q: How many blocks are on display?
This stop is only available to visitors who go on the tour. You
can get tickets at the Rock of Ages Visitor's Center at N44 09.348
W072 29.565.
The observation platform at N44 09.330 W072 28.808 gives an
awesome view of the quarry and is where you need to be to answer
the following 2 questions. By the way, when you are at this point
you are looking at the largest granite quarry in the world at over
600' deep. Access to this point is only available during weekends
when the quarry is inactive. It is truly an awesome sight.
Q: What are the colors of the cranes, and how many are around
you?
Q: What is the name on the end of the cranes?
After driving around, and visiting the particular sites, you
should gain a better understanding of the quarrying of granite and
the history that goes with it. You can view a free historical video
at The Visitor's Center. Hopefully you will take away from this
earthcache a little more appreciation as to why Barre City,
Vermont, is the self-proclaimed "Granite Capitol of the World" and
where Barre Grey granite comes from.
*****UPDATE April 22, 2006***** I just want to thank everyone who
has taken the time out to find this cache and to all who have yet
to find it. I will be deployed in support of the Global War on
Terrorism to Iraq for about 14 months. Darrel of DJ and Cal has
graciously agreed to adopt my caches and maintain them while I am
gone and I really appreciate that. Thanks everyone and see you next
year!