Granite of Deer Isle

Deer Isle granite, some a distinctive pinkish-gray stone quarried primarily from Deer Isle and Stonington in Maine, has a rich history tied to the region’s geological and economic past. Originating from the Devonian period, this granite is characterized by its coarse-grained texture, featuring quartz, feldspar, and biotite minerals that give it a subtle sparkle and durability. The quarries on Deer Isle, particularly around Stonington, began operations in the mid-19th century, fueled by the demand for building materials during America’s industrial boom. Stonington became a hub for quarrying activities, and the various granite quarries Maine employed thousands of immigrants from Italy, Finland, and Sweden who brought skilled stone-cutting techniques.

The granite’s unique aesthetic—warm tones with occasional black flecks—made it a favorite for architectural applications, distinguishing it from cooler-toned granites like those from Quincy, Massachusetts. The extraction process for Deer Isle granite involved traditional methods like hand drilling and blasting, evolving to pneumatic tools by the early 20th century. Quarries such as the Crotch Island Quarry and the Settlement Quarry in Stonington produced massive blocks that were transported via schooners to coastal cities. This granite’s resistance to weathering and ability to take a high polish contributed to its popularity in monumental architecture.

The industry faced decline after World War I due to competition from concrete and imported stones, leading to many quarries closing by the 1930s. Today, limited operations continue, with the stone often sourced from remaining stockpiles or small-scale extractions for restoration projects. The Deer Isle Granite Company and similar entities preserved the legacy, offering the material for modern uses while honoring its historical significance.

One of the most notable installations of Deer Isle Granite is in New York City, where it forms the base and elements of iconic structures like the Brooklyn Bridge towers and the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. The stone’s strength was ideal for supporting the immense weight of these landmarks, and its color complemented the urban landscape. In Washington, D.C., it appears in the U.S. Supreme Court Building’s exterior columns and steps, contributing to the neoclassical grandeur designed by Cass Gilbert in the 1930s. Other federal buildings, such as parts of the Library of Congress, also incorporate this Maine granite, showcasing its role in symbolizing American permanence and elegance.

Beyond government edifices, Deer Isle granite adorns numerous commercial and residential buildings across the Northeast. In Boston, it’s featured in the facades of historic banks and museums, including the Boston Public Library’s McKim Building, where its polished surfaces enhance the Renaissance Revival style. Philadelphia’s City Hall and several skyscrapers in Chicago also utilize the stone for bases and decorative elements, appreciating its ability to withstand harsh winters. Even in private estates, like those along Newport, Rhode Island’s cliffs, Deer Isle granite was used for grand staircases and garden features, blending seamlessly with the Gilded Age opulence.

Memorials and public monuments represent another key area where Deer Isle granite has left its mark. The Gettysburg Battlefield memorials in Pennsylvania include several obelisks and bases carved from this stone, chosen for its solemn appearance and longevity. In Maine itself, local cemeteries and town halls in Stonington and Deer Isle feature the granite prominently, serving as a testament to the communities that harvested it. Internationally, though less common, Maine granite exports reached Canada and Europe for select projects, such as bridge abutments in Montreal.

In contemporary times, Deer Isle granite is sought after for restoration and sustainable building practices. Projects like the renovation of the Statue of Liberty’s pedestal in the 1980s used matching stone from Maine quarries to maintain authenticity. Modern architects incorporate it into eco-friendly designs, valuing its natural sourcing and low maintenance. Preservation efforts, including the Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society’s museum, educate visitors on the granite’s cultural impact, ensuring its story endures.

The legacy of Deer Isle granite extends beyond architecture to influence art and literature, inspiring sculptures by artists like Louise Nevelson, who grew up near Maine’s quarries. Its extraction shaped coastal ecosystems and economies, prompting ongoing discussions about environmental reclamation. As a symbol of Maine’s industrial heritage, this granite continues to bridge the past and present, installed in places that reflect both human ambition and natural beauty.

Stonington Granite Quarries

The granite quarries of Stonington, Maine, on the southern tip of Deer Isle, represent one of the state’s most significant industrial legacies, transforming a small fishing village into a booming center of stone production from the late 19th century through the early 20th century. Commercial quarrying began in the 1870s, with early operations on Crotch Island led by figures like Job L. Goss in 1869 and the Merrill brothers in 1872, who extracted paving stones and cellar blocks for markets in Boston and beyond.

The area’s distinctive pinkish-gray granite—known for varieties like “Sherwood pink” and “Goss pink”—proved exceptionally durable and aesthetically appealing, featuring coarse-grained textures with quartz, feldspar, and biotite that polished to a high sheen. By the 1880s and 1890s, demand surged for monumental architecture, leading to rapid expansion across multiple sites, including Crotch Island, Settlement Quarry on the mainland, and smaller islands like Green and Moose.

At its peak around 1900-1910, the Stonington granite industry employed thousands, drawing skilled immigrants from Italy, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Scotland who brought expertise in stonecutting. These workers often lived in boarding houses on the islands or in Stonington (then called Green’s Landing until it incorporated as Stonington in 1897, named explicitly for its quarries). Crotch Island became the epicenter, with multiple quarries (such as Merrill, Ryan-Parker, and Goss) operating simultaneously; at one point, over 200-250 workers resided there, supported by stores, schools, and bunkhouses. Operations involved hazardous hand-drilling, black powder blasting, steam-powered derricks, and narrow-gauge railroads to move massive blocks to deep-water wharves for loading onto schooners.

The Settlement Quarry, opened around 1900 on Deer Isle near Oceanville, was another major site, featuring vast pits up to 600 feet long and employing hundreds with coal-fired boilers, compressors, and cranes. Glacial plucking had created steep southern faces ideal for deep-water access, facilitating direct shipping. Workers faced dangerous conditions—explosions, cave-ins, and silicosis from dust—yet formed unions as early as 1877 to advocate for better wages and safety. The industry’s output supplied iconic structures, from New York bridges and museums to federal buildings and memorials, underscoring Maine’s dominance in granite production (leading the U.S. in value by 1901).

Decline began after World War I, accelerated by the rise of reinforced concrete and steel in construction during the 1920s and 1930s. Most quarries closed by the 1930s, with Crotch Island operations continuing sporadically until the Deer Island Granite Corporation ceased in 1966. The Great Depression and competition from cheaper materials sealed the fate of this labor-intensive trade, shifting Stonington’s economy toward lobster fishing, which remains dominant today.

Revival came modestly in 1979 when New England Stone Industries (later Granites of America) reopened the Crotch Island quarry, now the last active major granite operation on a Maine island. Small-scale extraction continues for veneers, countertops, restoration projects, and high-profile builds like expansions of the New York Historical Society. Former sites like Settlement Quarry, preserved by Island Heritage Trust since the late 20th century, offer trails with interpretive signs on geology and history, panoramic views, and remnants of industrial infrastructure.

Preservation efforts highlight this heritage: the Deer Isle Granite Museum, founded in 1996 by Frank and Deni Weil, features models, artifacts, and stories of quarrymen, while the Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society and Maine Granite Industry Museum collect records and samples. These quarries not only shaped the landscape—leaving dramatic pits and grout piles—but also the cultural fabric of the community, blending immigrant traditions with Maine’s rugged coastal identity. Today, the enduring stone in landmarks worldwide stands as a testament to Stonington’s “stone era.”