Still winding our way back from that ride to
Princeton in October, we stopped at the granite quarry in Montello. With a population
of not quite 1,500, Montello sits in southcentral Wisconsin and is the county
seat of Marquette County. Founded in 1848, Montello may be best known for the
quality of the granite which was quarried here from 1880 until the 1960s. In
fact, the granite from this location was so durable and beautiful, that it was
chosen for the monument at Grant’s Tomb, beating out 280 pieces of granite from
around the world.
In 1977, when the quarry shut down, the piece of
property changed hands a few times and parcels of it were sold off. In 1992 the
waterfalls in these pictures were constructed and the water running over them
is currently being pumped by the city of Montello.
This waterfall, however, was created by the
Montello Lions Club in 1966. I don’t know how that happened, just adjacent to
the quarry. I didn’t have much luck on-line. Guess what, folks, I’ll have to go
back here someday. (Along with all those other little towns I need to further
explore.)
Know what I really think? I really think I need to get someone to fly
me over this place in their plane..
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