The author is indebted, for the scientific data in this work, to G. F.
Loughlin, U. S. Geological Survey.

Stone in 1923, by G. F. Loughlin and A. T. Coon, U. S. Geological

Bulletin 738, Commercial Granite of New England, by T. Nelson Dale,

Vol. 49, No 5, Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts &

HOMESTEADS OF TWO PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES,
JOHN ADAMS AND JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.

A VERY BRIEF HISTORY OF QUINCY, MASS.

The site of Quincy, Massachusetts was settled in 1625 by Captain

Wollaston, in that beautiful section which still bears his name. It was at first a little trading post. In 1626 Wollaston returned to Virginia, leaving his plantation here in charge of Lieutenant Filcher. It seems that Filcher was unable to maintain discipline, and Thomas Morton, another of the Captain's followers, soon gained the upper hand. Morton had a "devil-may-care" disposition and under his influence the people led a gay and frivolous life. News of their merry-making reached the ears of the Puritanical Separatists, and they were shocked, and appealed to Captain Myles Standish who seized Morton and shipped him back to England. He returned the following year at which time his goods were confiscated, and his home burnt, he being again deported. A third time he came back in 1634 when he was driven out for all time.

The year 1634 marks the real start towards the building of Quincy. Mount Wollaston was annexed to Boston-Braintree was permanently

settled-the northern precinct of Braintree later became what is known today as Quincy. Here the Adamses and the Hancocks lived, Quincy being the birthplace of John Hancock. The site of his home is now occupied by the Adams Academy. The first Josiah Quincy lived here in a house on the Hancock lot.

The dates on the Quincy City seal-1625, 1640, 1792-are the dates of the establishment of the first trading post, the incorporation of Braintree and the settling of the north precinct as the town of Quincy. In 1888 the citizens voted to adopt city government and this became effective Jan 1, 1889.

Shipbuilding was an early industry in Quincy, and records show that the first vessel was built here in 1696, being constructed for the fishing

trade. About a hundred years later (1789) the biggest ship to be built up to that date was the Massachusetts. The last big wooden ship built here was the "Red Cloud" launched in 1877. Since that time the Fore River Shipbuilding Corporation has located in Quincy, and some of the largest battleships afloat have gone down her ways. During the World War more than 12,000 men were employed at shipbuilding in the City of Quincy.

There are many other industries in Quincy which are not only important, but supreme. Always first in importance is the Granite Industry, the history of which is told on another page. In Quincy there are made more garages, more tubular rivets, more pneumatic scales, (and we might add better, to each one of the list), than are made any place else.

Quincy has long been famous for its School System, its Fire Department, and its Police Department. The "Quincy System" used in the public schools was made famous in 1875-1880 by Colonel Francis Wayland Parker, and has been copied throughout the country. The Fire Depart ment here has long been recognized as the most efficient. The Traffic Squad is, and should be, one of the most prominent in the country. It is splendidly organized, and must of necessity be so, as perhaps more automobiles pass through the City of Quincy than through any other city in New England.

FIRST PARISH CHURCH (THE GRANITE TEMPLE)
BUILT OF QUINCY GRANITE (1827)

CITY HALL
BUILT OF QUINCY GRANITE IN 1844

The First Parish Church - The Granite Temple in the City Square - was estab- ished in 1636 and was of the Unitarian de- nomination John Wil- son, who came here in 1630, was ordained the first pastor. It is the oldest church in Quincy. The structure is of Quincy Granite, the cornerstone of which was laid June 11, 1827. Beneath the Church are the tombs of the Presidents, John Adams and John Quincy Adams, accessible to the public The birthplaces of these two Presidents remain standing today, and are objects of pilgrimages by visitors from all parts of the world. The famous Dorothy Quincy House House and the Adams mansion on Adams Street are still standing.

These and many other points of interest about the town are steps which show the progress from earlier Colonial days to the present mode of living.

As one leaves the train at Quincy Station, he sees first the already famous Quincy Granite "Ball" Monument, the sphere six feet in diameter, a 300th birthday present to the City from the Gran- ite Manufacturers' Association. Its background is the old City Hall, also built of Quincy Granite (1844). On the other side of the City Hall is the old Hancock Cemetery which for three centuries has embraced the dead of past generations. Here will be found the grave of Colonel John Quincy (l689-1767) for whom Quincy was named in 1797; the sarcophagi of Henry Adams, the founder of the Braintree branch of the Adams family and of his son Joseph, who died Dec. 6, 1694, and who was an original proprietor in the township of Braintree, which was incorporated May 13, 1640 (old style); and the tombs of many others who helped make the history of our country. Across the street is the Granite Temple which we have already referred to, while beyond that on the left is the Norfolk County Court House, and the magnificent new million dollar High School building. Opposite these is the Thomas Crane Library, with its beautiful lawn, a magnificent picture in a handsome setting The Library faces the Post Office and the Y.M.C.A. Building. North on Hancock Street from the Square, about one minute's walk is the ancient 10-mile stone. Continuing north, on the same side is the Adams Academy building, elected 1870 on land presented the town by President John Adams in 1822. This is the site of the birthplace of John Hancock. A little further along on Hancock Street the Woodward Insti- tute building, a high school for Quincy girls, while just beyond it is the old High School building, a red brick structure. Next to the High School and between it and the new armory building, is the Edmund Quincy Homestead, elected 1685, known as the Dorothy Q. House, Dorothy Quincy having been born there in 1709. A few minutes walk will bring the visitor to Merrymount Park, part of the old Quincy farm and a gift to the town of Quincy by Charles Francis Adams, Jr, in 1885 (83_ acres). Here the first famous Maypole in New England was erected by Thomas Morton. The merrymaking on this mount suggested the name of the park. Still within walking distance is perhaps the most interesting of all, the Adams Mansion, the home of two Presidents, known also as the "house of golden weddings". In one of its rooms were observed the golden wed- dings of John Adams, John Quincy Adams and Charles Francis Adams. This house was originally the county seat of the Vassels, a rich Colonial family, reputed to have vast possessions in the West Indies, whence came the magnificent mahogany with which one of the rooms is pannelled. The area of Quincy is about 16 square miles, and to a large degree it is a residential suburb of Boston. Since the world war it has been the scene of great activities in building, and its future as an important pro- ductive center is fully assured. This statement is borne out by the fact that the population has doubled in the last 15 years. In 1910 the census figures were 32,642, whereas in 1925, the population is 60,131. It is also interesting to note that the figures for 1910 are twice those of 1890, there being then but 16,723 persons living in the City.

THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY HIS MEMORIAL (1881)

Quincy has perhaps more miles of waterfront than any city of its size in the world. Needless to say the populace has taken advantage of it, not only as a means of livelihood but for amusement and exercise. Four yacht clubs keep the bays dotted with yachts and small boats of all descriptions. Many bathhouses are over-patronized, and thousands enjoy the pleasures of bathing in the salt water of the Atlantic Ocean. The Quincy Shore Drive is one of the biggest problems, insofar as traffic is concerned, in the country, and on any summer day when the tide is high cars are parked along its entire length. The Red Cross Life Saving Corps in 1922 examined and passed more full-fledged life savers at Wollas- ton Beach, Quincy, than on any other beach in the United States.

WOLLASTON BEACH, QUINCY SHORE DRIVE.

A CONCISE HISTORY OF QUINCY GRANITE

The use of Quincy Granite in the United States is necessarily of a comparatively recent period, as the early settlers were too much occupied in their struggle for existence to devote the necessary amount of time to construction other than with the most easily worked materials. There- fore, it was over one hundred years after the landing of the Pilgrims before a granite structure of any importance was erected. Fortunately in Massachusetts, the early settlers did not have far to look for a suitable granite, and Shurtleff, in his History of Boston, tells us that one of the first stone buildings in Boston was the house of Deacon John Phillips, which was erected about 1650, and which is supposed to have been built from granite boulders found in the immediate vicinity. In 1737 the old Hancock House was built of boulders but has since been torn down.

In 1749-1754 King's Chapel, which is still standing on the corner of School and Tremont Streets, Boston, was built and was at that time the greatest stone construction ever undertaken in Boston, and possibly in the country. It also was built from granite boulders, and its solid con- struction is only a single proof of the durability of Quincy Granite. The actual openings of quarries in Quincy was due largely to the demand for Granite for the construction of the Bunker Hill Monument. The quarry from which this stone was taken is said to have been previously purchased by Mr. Gridley Bry- ant in 1825, at the cost of $250. Following the development of this quarry others were dis- covered in the immediate vicin- ity. Throughout the United States Quincy Granite is known as the best and most endurable material, not only for monu- mental purposes but for build- ings as well. For memorial purposes there is nothing that can equal polished Quincy Granite, which seems absolutely impervious to the elements.

BUNKER HILL MONUMENT; BUILT OF QUINCY GRANITE (1825-1842)

Let us not worry about our troubles of today, in what- ever business we may be en- gaged, for we know naught of real trouble. The pioneer is the man who fought our battles for us. Even in Granite did he do this. History tells us that the first use of granite was made from the field stone or boulder, used sometimes in its natural form. As demand increased small stones became scarce and it was necessary to find some way of splitting larger stones. These stones were heated and heavy weights dropped on them. In this manner the stones were split for King's Chapel, Boston (1749- 1754). Sometimes after heating water was poured on them, without know- ledge of just what would happen. About the middle of the 18th century stones were split with wooden wedges. Holes were drilled, the wedges inserted and these were swelled by pouring water on them. Later, iron wedges, and still later, steel wedges were used, two shims being inserted in the hole and the wedge driven between them, forcing the split. The holes were first drilled by hand- today the pneumatic plug drill does the work. Large stones are split at the quarries today with steam, used in conjunction with the steel wedge. In 1869 the polishing of granite by machinery was introduced, and Quincy Granite became in great demand for monumental purposes because of the great advantages gained by polishing. Polished granite is, first of all, less impervious to destructive agencies; it brings out the beauty of the various crystals; it appears darker than the hammered surfaces and in consequence records cut on polished granite are very easily read.

CUTTING PLANT, WITH SURFACING MACHINE IN FOREGROUND, EQUIPPED WITH DUST REMOVER

Quincy Granite has always been noted for its high polish, due to the fact that every surface of the entire substance will take a high gloss, there being no mica in Quincy Granite. Shortly after 1900 the surfacing machine came into general use, re- placing hand labor in roughing off surfaces of granite. At about the same period saws were becoming firmly established as another eco- nomical feature and remain so to- day, the old gang saw still doing its bit in competition with the circu- lar saw and the Pendulum saw. In 1915 we find the sandblast has found its way to granite and today some of the most beautiful carvings and traceries are being put on monuments through its agency, which could not be reproduced otherwise. Incised letters, blown more deeply in the granite than they can be cut by tools, are making records that in previous years would be marvelled at by the most advanced men of the trade. Quincy Granite was indeed responsible for the building of the first railroad in the United States. This came about because of the necessity to get to tide-water the 3,000 tons of Quincy Granite used in the Bun- ker Hill Monument. Work on the railroad was started April 1, 1826, and on Oct. 7, the same year, the first car passed over its entire length. The railroad was planned and built by Mr. Gridley Bryant. Parts of the original railroad can be seen today, and part of the original roadbed is in daily use to- day by the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Co.

ONE OF THE ORIGINAL FROGS AND SECTION OF THE FIRST RAILROAD IN THE U.S. AT WEST QUINCY, MASS. (1826).

In 1825 work was begun on the Bunker Hill Monument and the last stone was raised to its place in 1842. Mr. Solomon Willard built and erected this monument, the greatest in America at the time, and its total cost was $101,688.00. The total height is 221 ft. 5 in., the base being 30 feet square, with walls 6 feet thick. Bunker Hill Monument is only one example of "Lasting until everlast- ing" Quincy Granite. In 1855 construction was begun on Minot's Ledge Lighthouse, and the work was finished in 1860, one of the most difficult engineering feats ever attempted. Today, after 65 years of the most severe attacks of the elements, this building, made of Quincy Granite, stands erect, imposing, with not a mark of wind or wave to weaken it. Where other materials would have long since been destroyed, Quincy Granite has laughed to scorn nature's most ir- resistible forces. The old Customs House in Bos- ton, built of Quincy Granite in the old days, was of such solid con- struction that the great tower, the highest building in New England, was erected on the old original building and its foundation. It will stand, for all time a monument to the good judgment of the early founders of our industry.

MONUMENT TO SOLOMON WILLARD, WHO BUILT AND ERECTED BUNKER HILL MONUMENT. THE SHAFT WAS TO HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE PILLARS OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE BUILDING, NEW YORK.

PRECIOUS GEMS AND PRECIOUS STONES IN GRANITE MEMORIALS

An Absorbing Story About Gemstones

Wouldn't a monument made of diamonds, rubies and topazes be a wonderful memorial? Surely it would be marvelled at by all and it would take its place in the list of the seven wonders of the world, without doubt heading the list.

If these three precious gems had been given us in considerable quantities it is possible that monuments might be built of them. Certainly such monuments would command high prices, for these minerals are rated "first, second and third" in hardness of precious gems and it would require an immense amount of labor to fashion out even a small memorial, and labor is now expensive -nature seems to have foreseen even this condition.

However, nature did not quit. After making these three hardest minerals she kept along with the good work, and made many more. The next three, in point of hardness, are quartz, feldspar and hornblende, rank- ing "fourth, fifth and sixth" in hardness of gemstones, and these have been given to us in quantities sufficient to make all the monuments, and buildings, which the heart of man might desire.

This, then, is what nature in her wisdom has manu- factured for our needs, and she placed it in the hills of Quincy, where it might be readily accessible, first to the Puritans who first settled here, second to the pio- neers of the Granite Industry, who had their part in the making of this great country, and third to this new generation which is learning that in the rocks, which their forefathers knew were only "hard and last- ing", are only gemstones, which, properly faceted and in fitting settings, are admired by all of us, and can be seen any day in any jeweler's window. Small wonder indeed that Quincy Granite is "hard". No wonder at all that it is durable.

Diamond

Hardest of gems. The hardest mineral known, and the one universally recognized as chief among precious stones-the hardest, most imperishable and most brilliant of all. It has been supreme as a jewel since early times.
The consummate hardness of the diamond, in spite of its high price, has made it most useful for purposes of grinding, polishing and drilling.
Hardness rated 10
Specific gravity 3.5 to 3.56

Corundum

Second hardest of gemstones, embracing the ruby and sapphire. A mineral remarkable for its hardness, and forming in its finer qualities a gemstone. Next to diamond, corundum is the hardest mineral known.
The colored corundum for gemstones comes chiefly from Ceylon, Burma, Siam and Mon- tana.
Hardness rated 9

Topaz

Third hardest of gemstones, embracing the beryl, spinel, chrysoberyl, aquamarine and the emerald.
A mineral usually found in connection with granitic rocks, less often it occurs in cavities of volcanic rocks, or rhyolite. When pure it may be colorless, and if cut as a brilliant may be mistaken for a diamond. Cut topazes of large size are known and it is said that the famous "Braganze Diamond" of Portugal is probably a topaz.
Hardness rated 8
Specific gravity 3.5

Quincy Granite is quartz, feldspar and hornblende -fourth, fifth and sixth hardest of all the gemstones. There is no mica in Quincy Granite and therefore it is not subject to the disintegration which might otherwise occur.

The absence of mica means added strength and durability, for mica is of thumb-nail hardness; it means also that Quincy Granite will take a highly lustrous polish; and it means also that it will take this polish equally well on all surfaces.

A highly lustrous polish is of great value in a me- morial, because, first, it brings out the great beauty of the various crystals and, second, it renders the material even less susceptible to the attacks of the elements. This latter seems absolutely unnecessary in the case of Quincy Granite, for the elements seem not to have any effect whatever even on the rough granite; but by polishing the beautiful colors of the crystals are displayed for the admiration of those who appreciate the wonders and the beauty of nature.

When you select Quincy Granite for your memorial you will be choosing not only the most valuable com- bination of materials gifted to man in considerable quan- tity, but a fitting and proper tribute to the memory of your departed loved ones and a combination of precious stones, fourth, fifth and sixth in hardness of the minerals which nature has given us in the form of gemstones.

Quartz

Fourth hardest of gemstones, embracing the agate, amethyst, bloodstone, jasper, onyx, opal, etc. A widely distributed mineral spe- cies, met with in a great variety of forms, and with very diverse modes of occurrence. It has a hardness of 7 and cannot be scratched with a knife. It is a non-conductor of electricity and is unattacked by acids, ex- cept hydrofluoric.
Hardness rated 7.
Specific gravity 2.65
Percentage of quartz in Quincy Granite
30.6

Feldspar

Fifth hardest of gemstones. Among the varieties of feldspar the moonstone is perhaps the best-known gem.
Certain feldspars are used as ornamental stones on account of their color; some for their pearly opalescence; some for their play of irridescent colors, or for their spangled ap- pearance.
Hardness rated 6 to 6.5
Specific gravity 2.6 to 2.8
Percentage of feldspar in Quincy Granite
60.02

Hornblende
Sixth hardest of gemstones of which jade and garnet are varieties. Riebeckite and aegirite (acmite) are also species of horn- blende.
Hornblende is in color green, blown on black, and has a specific gravity of 3.0 to 3.3. It occurs as an essential constituent of many kinds of igneous rocks.
Hardness rated 5
Specific gravity 3.0 to 3.55
Percentage of hornblende in Quincy Granite, in the form of riebeckite and aegirite 9.37.

A SEMI-TECHNICAL TREATISE ON THE GEOLOGY OF QUINCY GRANITE
The geology of Quincy is very complex and has for a long time been under investigation and discussion by geologists. The granite of Quincy was part of a great deeply buried mass of molten granitic material which was intruded in carboniferous time into a considerable mass of overlying slates, etc., of middle cambrian and possibly later age, which in places were entirely removed by subsequent erosion. Quincy Granite is known scientifically as a riebeckite-aegerite granite. Riebeckite and aegerite are both varieties of hornblende. The general color of the granite ranges from a medium gray or bluish or greenish or purplish gray to a very dark bluish gray, all with black spots which, on closer inspection, are seen to be blue-black or green-black or a mixture of both. The texture is medium to coarse and it is even- grained. Quincy Granite for monumental purposes is sold under the names of "Medium", "Dark" and "Extra Dark". The estimated mineral per- centages show that the differences in shade are due in part to a variation in the amounts of the black silicates and of the smoky quartz. The smokiness of the quartz appears to be due to the presence of infinitesimal particles of some black mineral. The bluish tint of the feldspars is due to microscopic crystals of riebeckite and its greenish hue to minute aegerites. The contrast of color and shade is chiefly between the black silicates and the combined quartz and feldspar. * Estimates of the mineral percentages by the Rosiwal method yield the following figures for the Medium, Dark and Extra Dark: Feldspar 60.02 hardness rated 6 to 6.5 Quartz 30.60 hardness rated 7 Riebeckite and aegerite 9.37 hardness rated 5 to 6.5 The specific gravity at 22o C. is 2.642 Granites are igneous rocks formed by volcanic action and are of all geological ages. Doubtless these rocks consolidated with extreme slowness at great depths below the surface, under vast pressures and probably in the presence of water or water vapor-conditions difficult to reproduce in a laboratory. Granite is generally composed of quartz, feldspar and mica, inti- mately compacted in varying proportions to form a hard granular sub- stance, quartz being the principal constituent and imparting to the rock the qualities of durability and strength. The larger the percentage of quartz the harder and more difficult it becomes to work the stone. Feld- spar is of much importance as a rock-constituent, and the color of the granite is generally due to this substance, but the nature of the mica often affects this, whether it be light or dark in tint. Mica also affects the wearing qualities of the stone, having a rated hardness of only 2.5. In some granites, notably that quarried in Quincy, Mass, mica is replaced by hornblende. The hornblende in Quincy Granite is in the form of riebeckite and aegerite, having respectively rated hardness of 5 to 5.5 and 6 to 6.5. This fact makes of Quincy Granite susceptible of a high polish, which would not be the case if mica were present, and in addition adds greatly to its strength and durability "T. Nelson Dale, U.S. Geological Survey, Bulletin No. 738 DATA OF PRODUCTION - QUINCY GRANITE In 1837 there were 64,590 tons of Quincy Granite quarried in Quincy, valued at $248,737. 533 men employed. In 1845 the value of the product was $324,500, with 526 men employed. In 1865 the value decreased to $238,000 with 324 employees. In 1880, with 30 quarries operating, 723,000 cubic feet of granite was produced, valued at $226,940 with 820 men employed. In 1905 the output of Quincy Granite in the form of memorials was $2,018,198. Men employed 1050. In 1920 six quarries were operating and the entire value of the product had increased to $3,655,604. Men employed 1070. In 1924 seven quarries operated. The value of the finished product was $3,160,324 with 1035 employees. Notable examples of buildings constructed of Quincy Granite are the Custom houses in Boston, New York, Providence, New Orleans and Savannah; the Equitable Insurance Co.'s buildings of New York and Boston; State Street Block, Boston; Staats Zeitung Building, Cornelius Vanderbilt residence, Astor House and the Stock Exchange building (1860) New York City; First National Bank, Philadelphia Bank, Philadelphia Savings Fund, Penn Life & Trust Co, and the porch of the Masonic Temple, Philadelphia; Hamilton building, Pittsburgh; Savings & Trust Co.'s building, Cleveland, Ohio; King's Chapel, Boston, erected 1749-54; Minot's Light House, 1855; Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh; subway en- trances, Boston; First Parish Church (1827), City Hall (1844), Quincy. Noted examples of memorial art are the Barney Mausoleum at Spring- field; Pilgrim Monument at Plymouth; Lewis Cass Monument, Detroit; Solomon Willard Monument, Quincy; Bunker Hill Monument (1825); W. C. Whitney Monument, Woodlawn Cemetery, N.Y.; Bradley Monument, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; Long Monument, Mansfield, Ohio; Patterson Monu- ment, Ashland, Pa.; Meehan Monument, St Joseph's Cemetery, Boston; Tercentenary memorial, Quincy. Quarries of Quincy Granite are now operated in Quincy, Mass, by C. H. Hardwick & Co.; Falconer & Co.; Granite Railway Co.; Gray Rock Granite Co.; Quincy Quarries Co.; J. S. Swingle; Carl G. Winquist. TYPICAL QUINCY GRANITE QUARRY. Copyright 1923