Indiana Limestone (2)

Channeling Machines at Work in one of Indiana Limestone Company's Quarries

All ready to turn over the "Cut" in Quarry of Indiana Limestone Company

Splitting the "Cut"

The postcard text is "View in one of Indiana Limestone Co's quarries showing the huge "Cut" of stone turned over on its side and split up into smaller blocks ready for shipment to the Cut Stone Plants."

Hunter Bros.' Stone Company Quarry, Bloomington, Indiana
Postmarked 1915

Hunter Brothers Stone Company was an exhibitor at the Chicago World's Columbian Exposition, May 1st to October 30th 1893.

Postcard of a photo entitled "Wall Street" by Jack Hackney - Bedford, Indiana

The text on the postcard says "From these blocks come the finished products. Indiana limestone is the nation's building stone and is used for constructing skyscrapers, schools, churches and private homes."

Indiana limestone quarry by Howard Fogg

The text on the postcard says "After limestone is quarried it is stored in stock piles such as shown in this painting by Howard Fogg. This Oolitic limestone after seasoning is then cut, shaped and carved into building stone. Many of America's most beautiful buildings are made of Indiana limestone. Its remarkably smooth texture results from its organic formation from the fossil remains of tiny marine organisms of pre-historic times."

The seasoning is required because the limestone decompresses as it is quarried and can also contains ground water. Buff limestone requires 60 - 90 days to season but grey limestone requires at least 6 months.

Indiana Limestone Company, Bedford

The text on the postcard says "This scene is inside the Joiner Mill, of the Indiana Limestone Company, the largest limestone company in the world. The gang saws are sawing a huge block of limestone for custom or veneer use. These large blocks may weigh as much as 25 tons. The jets of water wash out the slush that accumulates. The two men are seeing that everything is working smoothly."

Hoadley Cut Stone Mill, Indiana Limestone Company, Bloomington

J. Hoadley & Sons Company was formed in 1926.

Links

Indiana Limestone Collection from Indiana Historical Society
Indiana Limestone Handbook from Indiana Monument & Cut Stone
Indiana Oolitic Limestone - a fascinating article on "Geology, Quarries, Methods" from Stone Quarries and Beyond
Quarry Districts Along The Monon

This page created 1st July 2008, last modified 9th July 2008