A historic-folkloric CR monitoring visit

Since my arrival at The Trustees last November as the new CR Monitoring Specialist, one of the main aspects of my work that consistently intrigues me compared to my former job with the Appalachian Trail is the amazing variety of conservation values we protect through our CR program.

On a recent annual monitoring visit of a 185 acre CR in the Town of Milford, MA, my coworker and I spied this enormous rock pile deep in the woods.

Closer investigation of these massive stones left me wanting to know more about this property and of Milford's granite quarrying history.

With a quick google search back at the office, I soon learned of the discovery of pink granite in Milford back in the 1860's.  By the early 1900's, Milford was at the forefront of the granite industry providing over 1,000 quarrying jobs and building materials for such notable structures as the Boston Public Library, the former Pennsylvania Station in New York City and the steps and terrace walls of the Lincoln Memorial.  Between 1870-1940, it's estimated that over a million and half tons of granite were taken from the many quarries located across Milford.  Amazing!

For more information about the history of granite quarrying in Milford, MA see

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko_3gV0F5FI&feature=player_embedded

Sally Naser, CR Monitoring Specialist