Bass Island Brownstone Company Quarry Explained

Bass Island Brownstone Company Quarry
Nearest City:La Pointe, Wisconsin
Coordinates:46.8322°N -90.7556°W
Builder:Sweet, Almson
Added:March 29, 1978
Refnum:78000075
Increase:May 10, 2016
Increase Refnum:16000241

The Bass Island Brownstone Company Quarry, also known as the Basswood Island Quarry, on Basswood Island in Lake Superior was operational from 1868 to 1893. The brownstone was first used for construction of the second Milwaukee County Courthouse, now demolished. The quarry, now filled with water, is about 200feet long and about 25feet deep. Blocks of sandstone remain, together with the rusting remains of quarrying machinery. All company buildings and workers' cabins have disappeared.[1]

Other buildings built with the quarry's product include the old Chicago Tribune building, the Landmark Chapel at the Forest Home Cemetery and St. Paul's Episcopal Church, both in Milwaukee.[1] The island and quarry are presently included in Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and are administered by the National Park Service.[2] The quarry was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 29, 1978.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Barnes. Herschel L.D.. [{{NRHP url|id=78000075}} National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form: Bass Island Brownstone Quarry]. National Park Service. 26 October 2011. July 23, 1975.
  2. Web site: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Map. National Park Service. 26 October 2011.