Granite Industry

The Westerly granite industry began in 1846, when Orlando Smith discovered a granite outcrop on his farm. After the Civil War, it flourished because of demand for high quality granite for monuments, attracting skilled workers including designers, cutters, and draftsmen to Westerly from Europe and across the United States. Orlando Smith had started stone masonry in Pawcatuck, Connecticut, in 1830, purchased the Babcock property in 1845, and after his death in 1859 at age 45, his widow Emeline took over. Rhode Island Granite Works became New England Granite in 1875, Coduri and Marzoll Granite Company was established in 1907, Smith Granite Co. bought New England Granite quarries in 1925, Bonner Monument Company was established in 1930, and Buzzi Memorials was established in 1933. The Smith Granite Co. of Westerly, Rhode Island, monumental designers and sculptors, was established in 1846 and incorporated in 1887, producing monuments, headstones, statuary, mausoleums, and other cemetery work in Westerly granite.

Westerly, Rhode Island · United States