Grass & Granite

These sprigs of dried grass at Lyons Turning Mill may get covered with some white crystals this week. Happy Monochrome Monday!

Walking The Ruins

More than 100 years ago, inside these granite walls, large granite cylinders, 3' x 22', were turned on lathes and polished by jennies.  The Lyon's Turning Mill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Happy Monochrome Monday!

Abandoned Quarry

This is what remains of the abandoned quarry beside the Lyons Turning Mill.  The building seen at the top of the quarry is part of the Granite Links Golf complex.

Chiseled In History

The Lyon's Turning Mill is the site of an historic granite turning mill that was established in 1893 off a roadway now called Ricciuti Drive.  An "Open House" was held there this past weekend providing an opportunity to see this National Register Historic Site up close complete with demonstrations of some old granite cutting hand tools.

Our Navy's Long History

In 1832, Alexander Parris designed this granite block building that now houses the museum for the U.S. Frigate Constitution anchored nearby in the Charlestown Navy Yard. I would hazard a guess that this was built with Quincy granite but I haven't been able to document that.   Parris was an innovator of naval architecture and much of his naval architectural work can be viewed here.

Built To Last

These stone arched windows from an old farmhouse on Bumpkin Island have withstood the test of time.  Happy Monochrome Monday!

Sunny Sunday

I spotted this beautiful stone detail on a gravestone at Mt. Wollaston Cemetery.  Some of the stonework in Quincy's cemeteries is amazing.

United First Parish Church

The bell tower of this National Historic Landmark in Quincy Center was recently restored.  This church building is considered to be one of the finest standing Greek Revival church buildings in New England.  It was designed by noted architect Alexander Parris, who also designed Quincy Market in nearby Boston.  Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams are buried here with their wives.  This magnificent building was made of Quincy granite and completed in 1828.

I also included a little spring green for "Earth Day".  Go outside and enjoy!

Golden Tower

The First Parish Church of the Presidents in Quincy Center has had its bell tower and clock refurbished just in time for a spring unveiling. The gold really glistens in the sun.

Granite Gem

This beautiful detail is attributed to the master stone cutters responsible for designing and constructing Quincy's City Hall in the mid-1800s. The granite came from Quincy's quarries and has lasted more than 150 years. The building's exterior surface is weathering better then the interior. Money is needed to update and make necessary repairs to the inside of this outstanding historical structure.

Happy Monochrome Monday!

Stone Stairway To Heaven

This stately, and rather grand mausoleum is made from Quincy granite. It is located in Forest Hills Cemetery, one of the finest examples of a 19th century garden cemetery. There is so much history and art here . . . definitely worth your time. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.

It's Monochrome Monday!

"Upon This Rock..."

Built in 1844, from great blocks of Quincy granite, is the former Church of Saints Peter & Paul in South Boston. Gridley J.F. Bryant, son of the famed railroad pioneer, was the architect on this Gothic revival church. This was the first Roman Catholic Church in South Boston; it was closed in 1995, and turned into condos.

Willard School Building

This beautiful Gothic and Tudor Revival style building was built in 1891 as a school for children of the granite workers in West Quincy; it housed 1000 students at its peak. Not only is this building unusual for the picturesque style chosen for its architecture, but also it is unique for its tripartite plan; no other school in Quincy was built with this configuration. The Boston firm of Sturgis & Cabot (John H. Sturgis and W. R. Cabot) were the architects for the Willard School and borrowed some design influence from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. The building was named in honor of Solomon Willard, the "Father of the Granite Industry" and the architect and builder of Quincy's City Hall, and the Bunker Hill Monument

The Willard School was unfortunately closed in 1982 (due to a budget crisis) and sold for use as office condos.

"A Hill Too Dearly Bought"

Breeds Hill in Charlestown, is the site of the Bunker Hill Monument where the first battle of the American Revolutionary War took place. The 220 foot obelisk was the first and tallest to be built in America. Architect Solomon Willard designed the monument and had a railroad built to haul the Quincy granite to a barge which took it to Charlestown for assembly.

Daniel Webster spoke at the commemoration, asserting that the “monument stands a memorial of the past, a monitor to the present, and to all succeeding generations.”

Space Available

The site of the Lincoln Granite Company on Centre Street has been vacant for quite some time. There are a few remnants here of the once thriving granite industry in Quincy.

Waiting For The Bell To Toll

Scaffolding was erected this past July to restore the bell tower of the United First Parish Church (Church of the Presidents) in Quincy Center. Restoration should be completed by November at a cost of $600,000. This magnificent edifice, built of Quincy granite donated by John Adams, was designed by Alexander Parris and completed in 1828. You can read more about the church here and see the tower here.

Happy Skywatch Friday everyone! We're into a rainy spell once again.

The Grey & Green

Fort Warren, a Civil War-era fort known for its graceful granite archways, is made from stone and Quincy granite. I really like the grassy rooftops -- "green" before its time. I will share a few more photos of Fort Warren in the days to come.

Where's The Window Washer?

You can barely make out Boston's Custom House tower through the salt soaked window of a commuter boat headed to Long Wharf in Boston. Granite was hauled from Quincy in the mid 1800s to erect this magnificent structure.

It's Monochrome Monday . . . enjoy!

Face Carved In Stone

This Quincy style jack-o-lantern was carved from a 6,000 pound block of granite by local artist, Ed Monti. The 83-year-old granite sculptor surprised the city by placing this grinning piece onto city hall plaza for all to enjoy . . . and the best part is . . . it won't rot. Happy Halloween!

Granite Link

This large metal link was embedded in a granite boulder used decades ago in Quincy's famous granite quarrying business. It is located on the access road to the Granite Links Golf Course. I like the autumn & rust colors here.