Granite Railway, Pine Hill Quarry to Neponset River, Quincy, Norfolk County, MA2. Historic American Buildings Survey, Arthur C. Haskell, Photographer. April, 1934. (b) Detail of old railroad part way up incline to quarry. HABS MASS,11-QUI,4-2 (HABS/HAER Collection, Library of Congress)
I was at the Ice Creamsmith in Dorchester's Lower Mills earlier this week (sweet cream with Heath Bar mixed in, for those who care about such things), when I noticed the bright yellow flyers for this summer's Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts' tours. A few years ago I went on the Granite Railway Quarry-to-Wharf tour which is, to my mind the best local history tour available in the Boston area (except, perhaps, when I get motivated to lead some of my own tours). The Granite Railway was created for the purpose of supplying granite from Quincy quarries for the construction of the Bunker Hill Monument and several important components of the railway are still visible today. The Library of Congress has drawings and photographs of parts of the railway but it really must be seen in person to get the full experience. The Mass Bay RRE are to be commended for their dedication in bringing this important chapter in American engineering history to the public.
You can read more about Quincy granite here.
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