Granite Quarry

An 1836 evaluation of Maine's mineral resources found granite to be one of the state's most important commodities, and Jonesboro became one of the hubs of granite production in eastern Maine. Fletcher Granite Company identified granite from the Bodwell Quarry as Jonesboro Red, a stone with dark pink or muted red predominant among smatterings of light cream, with smoky quartz generously distributed throughout it, giving it a polished, nearly flawless appearance. Geology and easy access to water transportation allowed Jonesboro to flourish during the heyday of granite quarrying, and the granite industry helped build and develop the town by providing jobs while some company owners built stores. Although the economic effects have long since diminished, remnants of that impact remain. The largest Jonesboro quarries were the Fish Quarry, Eastern Maine Granite Company, Booth Brothers Quarry, and Bodwell Granite Company.

Jonesboro, Maine · United States