The quarry derrick was made by the Wiley Company of Port Deposit, Maryland, most likely for use on a barge during World War II, and its drum hoists were products of American Hoist and Derrick of St. Paul, Minnesota, patented in 1902. Cold Spring Granite purchased it from the U.S. government in 1946 as surplus equipment. In 2006, Cold Spring Granite donated it to Stearns County Parks, and park staff and Cold Spring Granite staff disassembled it in Cook, Minnesota and transported it to Quarry Park and Nature Preserve. The mast is 33 feet tall, the boom arm is 72 feet long, and the derrick can lift 30 tons with the boom arm extended to a 38-foot radius but only 15 tons at a 57-foot radius. It was installed there as a non-operating derrick, with special locks and cable to prevent the boom arm and drum hoists from moving, and the concrete slabs were engineered for non-operating status.