100 Year-Old Relics Found In My Quarry

I have discovered a number of relics in the quarry from the previous operation that was abandoned in the 1930's. Today I walked around and contemplated the nature of their operation based on the little historic fingerprints that I have been finding.

[@cindy4u99]

I am a true Californian.Born and raised here. I have to say that I never knew how beautiful the granet rock is in Vermont! This is a reminder of how a nation is forged. A great nation needs a solid foundation. Vermont has every right to be proud of her solid rock foundations. Thank you for showing us you fantastic quarry.💖

[@sfurules]

You know, I have spent my life studying music...degrees, performances...but I am pretty sure Alfred knows more about this stuff than I will ever know about my chosen craft.

[@lydias2012]

I don't know anything about either of farming or quarries but am a 60 year old woman enjoying your and Morgan's videos. Keep them coming.😀

[@joledo2264]

I'm a 56 year old woman enjoying the same as you with Morgan and Alfred.

[@s44577]

Ditto, 62 year old here! Interesting stuff Alfred!

[@callmeizzy9785]

What you said.

[@cloedog]

im 25 and live in hawaii and i feel the same! 😊

[@kuro3552]

I would be curious to see the demographics for their videos.

[@justahillbilly7777]

That big thing at 5:22 is part of a firebox for a boiler. That space between the sheets is one of the places where the water was, and all those bolts between them are staybolts meant to keep the sheets from being pushed apart by the steam pressure. If it wouldn’t result in an absolute essay of a comment, I’d explain further, but as of the initial typing of this and the first edit, I have sleep I need to get. Those “valves” looked to me like they could’ve been plain old bolts. Their purpose escapes me though. And that much more intact boiler could have possibly once been the engine of a steam tractor or possibly a mobile boiler meant strictly for the powering of other machinery that you could pull with a team of horses or something to get it to where it needed to be. I’ve seen a boiler like that at a local biannual tractor show and it’s generally used to power a saw to cut firewood for both it and the other steam tractors and contraptions that are usually at the show as well. An absolute treat to see it all first hand.

[@vermontheritagegranitecomp2062]

Thank you for the insights! I know that with time I will be able to find the right people to ask about those pieces, you sound like you may be one of them.

[@justahillbilly7777]

@@vermontheritagegranitecomp2062 I know enough to explain them in relative depth, but not as much as someone who works with ‘em on the regular. Those guys always have something up their sleeve that I don’t. Whereas they’ve actively learned so as to work on them, I’ve merely learned mostly through passive observation, asking around with guys who work with boilers on the regular, picking up things from videos, and reading stuff in books and here on the ol’ Interwebs. But anywho, for some further elaboration, both the firebox section and more intact boiler are of the firetube variety of boiler design where the heat and smoke from the fires are carried from the firebox through the barrel, where the majority of the water would be, via various sized tubes and flues into the smokebox where the exhaust would push the smoke and heat out the stack/funnel which would ultimately create a vacuum which would help to make the draft for the fire even stronger, therefore providing even more heat, and then even more steam, and so on. That concept of more heat=more steam=more heat and so on is why it is said that a steam locomotive can pull a heavier train at speed than what it could start from a dead stop.

[@brittany6229]

@@justahillbilly7777 I was looking for this reply! We had a smaller version of one on a farm that was for a saw mill

[@jamesdriscoll_tmp1515]

I've seen steam engines on skids haul themselves around with winches. They were called donkys, and were used to winch timber to a central location then move to the next cut. Where I grew up you could identify the routes they took from the way the ground was ploughed up, leaving ponds and berms in odd places near hilltops. Often with large cables discarded in the track. Edited for spelling

[@ronaldschmidt4748]

Thanks Alfred for the video. Pretty amazing what they left behind. Found your channel through Goldshaw farms channel. Look forward to your next video. Take care.

[@vermontheritagegranitecomp2062]

Thanks!

[@Martin-xo2le]

same

[@bellepfeiffer3630]

You're on an archeological adventure there. It is interesting to think about how they did things back then. My dad was a chemical engineer in the '30s for a mining company in Arkansas, the place ran on hydropower but in the summer when the creek dried up they just shut down operations for a month or two and he would travel to Maine to visit family. Something that wouldn't happen today. Keep showing what you find - I had no idea about the rock process.

[@mr.skipper4544]

Your going to have a very successful KZbin channel 👍 Thanks for sharing

[@jenniferrollins]

7:12 What a view! Congrats! I hope you end up getting a huge following so you can support your quarry, family, and whatever else you want to do!

[@Libbathegreat]

That's extremely cool to have those relics just sitting right where they've been for a century. It's honestly amazing how well they've held up out in the elements.

[@sabbys7750]

I'm pretty sure everything they left behind was "trash" to them but to us right now in this day and age... What treasures they are!! Thank you for sharing!!

[@cherylhuot4436]

What an adventure you have started on! I live in an area where there are no mountains so just the scenery is lovely to me. It’s wonderful you find all the artifacts left behind to be interesting and worth learning about and possibly finding use for. That old boiler looks a bit like a submarine at certain angles! LOL Thank you for taking us along on your adventure.

[@RandyLea]

I enjoy your videos. Your friend Morgan is a gifted storyteller, I especially like the way he does character development with all his animals. I don’t know anything about stone masons. I would like to see a video telling about stone masons and all the projects they make. I’d also like to see a video covering a project from raw stone at your quarry all the way to a completed project, I’m guessing that would be a ton of work though.

[@vermontheritagegranitecomp2062]

I will definitely make some videos that will address these questions. Thank you for the feedback.

[@mahalathacker6513]

The quarry is an amazing place, so glad you were able to purchase it. Love the videos.

[@nanaadwoaofori7882]

Stopped by from Morgan’s channel and i subscribed when Morgan first mentioned your channel at the farm meeting. Can’t wait to follow all your adventures and learn a little bit about what you do

[@frederickmoller]

Thanks Alfred, you may find more neat former machinery, etc...I live in mining country of Northeastern Ontario Canada and my hobby was exploring many abandoned old mine sites for neat things that gave me an insight how a particular mine operated. Keep 'digging' you may find more history, thanks for growing your channel more by keeping us updated!

[@vermontheritagegranitecomp2062]

I'll keep digging indeed! I hope to visit old mining sites someday

[@nellgruben3375]

Hey Albert, Thank you for the history lessons and the classical music 🎶. I heard about you through Morgan's channel. Very Cool Sir, Very Cool.

[@manzanito45]

So neat to get glimpses into the past with these things :)

[@Alcochaser]

It may not have been dynamite. One old method was to mix up a putty/slurry material (I can't describe what its made of on youtube or they will go nuts), You would pour it into the drilled holes and then cap it off with dirt with the fuse sticking out, they would use this to blast the rock loose.

[@lawrencekelli]

You are a man of many talent's Alfred.Looking forward to watching you video's.

[@galba2715]

Wow i see the old picture of that area and amazed how the place had been recovered

[@myzacky96]

Very interesting, Thanks, "My Buddy Alfred?" I love your backround music!

[@ButterFly-hc8hn]

Any video with Mozart playing in the background, is worth watching!

[@akoilady9097]

Great look back into time! Thanks for sharing.

[@piperleelee]

Interesting historical pieces in your quarry. Your video persona is getting better. Keep bringing us more videos, I enjoy them.

[@lavinamontoya8164]

Beautiful property you have there. Amazing view from were you sit on that ledge. Many fascinating old pieces of equipment to play with, maybe finding new ways to use them or just making displays? Lots of possibilities and not just for work. Easy to see your enthusiasm with your new place 👍

[@panaele7165]

Hi Albert, this vid is fascinating. I watched Morgan's videos and that's how I found your chanel.

[@jmflying]

Your videos are very well made and edited. Wish you well on this business adventure.

[@vts5618]

Amazing what they were able to do back then.

[@naomik615]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing. I love old places, old things, history, etc. I'm looking forward for more to come. (New subscriber from Morgan's channel).

[@leestimis9264]

This is interesting. Wonder if you can find and show more pictures of the site when in operation? Would be nice to see where the buildings were and if any lived on or around the quarry site. Thanks for bringing the past and your future alive.

[@SandrA-hr5zk]

Ohhhh, you should really invite Post 10 to come explore your property. He loves this kind of stuff. He's up there in the New England area and does a bit of travelling on the backroads and backwoods.

[@josephschaumberg4136]

Nice, to learn about quarry practice. Look like a beautiful place in Vermont.

[@PriestessxNat]

So neat what you can find in unexpected places!!

[@bekind3931]

Great job on the video. I’m getting a sense of the history of quarries. Are you able to tell what company might’ve worked there? And what they did w/the stone? Like, did much of it go to build a town or church or something nearby? Were there companies during that time that primarily utilized stone? Like for bridges, dams or roads (gravel under asphalt)? And is it still a big industry today, or have there been cheaper ways discovered to do those tasks?

[@vermontheritagegranitecomp2062]

I determined that it was the Rosa Brothers quarry, they also had a stone shed three miles away in the village of South Ryegate. I believe that they primarily used the stone for "rock-faced monument bases".

[@26beegee]

Such an interesting operation. Love your Mozart!

[@shawnboutilier8130]

Incredibly interesting!!!! Keep up the great content .Well done !!!!

[@lorhayes7]

With so much activity up there, I wonder if you could find old coins or tools with a metal detector.

[@vermontheritagegranitecomp2062]

A metal detector would have a field day up there for sure!

[@gertsgarden]

Congratulations!!! I was wondering if the quality of your granite is suitable for carving? Maybe you could add rough cut head stones to your inventory, they cost a fortune!

[@vermontheritagegranitecomp2062]

I believe that they were primarily cutting for "rock-faced monument bases", rock facing being a process of deliberately creating a rough face by knocking it off with a chisel. An adjoining land owner told me that the stone is leeeetle too soft for carving

[@bige.3474]

Is this type of granite suitable for tombstones?

[@TealCheetah]

I live near mountains with old mines. Determined people can get a boiler moved almost anywhere.

[@johnlehmeyer8793]

Really like your channel, so much to explore and learn, keep it up. Thanks!!

[@SheepheadVideos]

Alfred you're a top bloke, looking forward to watching

[@donnabrockable]

You remind me of a younger Rich Hall. Comedian from the 80s and now lives in the UK

[@dereek5575]

what an interesting piece of history u have on your quarry Mr. Alfred, maybe one day you can recreate their methods of quarrying.

[@laurencarleton236]

Wow that view up top is beautiful! What a fun place to explore.

[@chubbrock659]

Came here from gold Shaw’s suggestion. Looking forward to some of your vids!

[@fabolicodi]

Your findings are so interesting yet so cool at the same time

[@delsurf71]

Came over from Gold Shaw. Looking forward to seeing a type of channel that is totally new to me

[@julielumsden5184]

Beautiful stone as well as the scenery

[@Anonymouzor]

all of this makes me wonder where the stone this quarry produced ended up, it would be really interesting

[@vermontheritagegranitecomp2062]

My understanding is that they were primarily cutting monument bases.

[@minnahumble2294]

Enjoyed your video. Keep more coming!

[@HappyComfort]

Enjoyed watching you on GoldshawFarms video 👍😊 Looking forward to seeing your videos 😊🌷

[@mitchgant]

Love this tour of the artifacts from its previous operation. So cool.

[@BornFreeStayFree]

Really interesting seeing all those old treasures!

[@mnemosynevermont5524]

Epic view! Congrats on starting a page!

[@amandajarboe1131]

Wow!! I am learning so much cool stuff today!!! Love the history lessons!

[@dyannejohnson6184]

I was introduced to your skills at Morgan’s farm…you are very skilled

[@maureen8930]

Great Stuff Alfred a price of history I really enjoy your videos 👍👍👍

[@beejls]

I was wondering the other day if you had a channel. Morgan at Gold Shaw came through. Best of luck with your channel, and your quarry.

[@amysusanapplepie199]

Wonderful to see your property, it is so beautiful there. Good luck with your channel!

[@Dd-sunshine68]

Beautiful view alfred

[@bruceande1]

I don't know your plans for having public access but all thos relics make for interesting features for visitor...Keep up the good work before the big freeze comes to VT. That old boiler might make for a nice heat source as a firepit!!!

[@professorx7662]

Excellent channel. Thank you

[@circlethewagons]

Such a shame, there's no one left alive to ask these questions.

[@callmeizzy9785]

Fascinating!

[@CuriousEarthMan]

Nice video, thank you!

[@wickedbird1538]

Thanks for the video. Toby says hi. 🐕 ❤❤❤

[@robertnovich4137]

5:18 - Steam pneumatic system for the rock drills? 6:18 - Engine for it? Maybe previous piece for heating system for the boiler to run the system, and the pneumatic pressure boiler is the previous piece?

[@joshyaks]

Fascinating!!

[@elizabethbishop1882]

Bing watching. New sub. My grandfather worked in mining setting off dynamite. Congratz on your new property.

[@krispy777]

Thank you for sharing! Your title and ending cards (card? page? emblem?) are a great idea.

[@johnphillips4708]

It’s our buddy Alfred! Subscribeddddd

[@tonydibartolo7985]

hello, I have been seeing you on morgan's farm building things and want to wish you good fortune at the quarry.

[@user-vq4mt4zd4e]

great content thanks

[@DurandCompton]

I imagine there's some nice bonsai material lurking in those stone piles.

[@WildwoodTV]

I know nothing about boilers or quarrying - but seen similar stuff at Ironbridge UK (& Fred Dibner). Riveted iron is usually under pressure. Anyway, that granite is beautiful.

[@vermontheritagegranitecomp2062]

I have watched Fred Dibnah steeplejacking videos, and holy smokes am I glad to spend most of my time on the ground

[@WildwoodTV]

@@vermontheritagegranitecomp2062 appreciate your reply - Fred was a legend & knew his engines too. Best of luck with your venture 👍👍

[@GoodPersonTestWebsite]

Hi Alfred 👋 Subscribed from Morgan's channel.

[@victorianacreshomestead8291]

What a view from the top!

[@minnahumble2294]

Very interesting.

[@margaretannfrank5480]

It’s interesting to get a glimpse into what they used a hundred years ago. Are you going to move the pieces or do anything with them?

[@vermontheritagegranitecomp2062]

I will leave them where they are, I have a keen interest in history and I think that it will be better for posterity if I leave as much alone as possible.

[@juliareidy918]

If you are ever in North Adams, MA visit the natural bridge state park which is an old marble quarry. you can see things like the small gauged train tracks to transport marble and the marble dam.

[@vermontheritagegranitecomp2062]

I will check with that out for sure, last weekend I was exploring granite quarries on Cape Anne.

[@garryandjanepannell8594]

Your fire pit piece looks a bit like an old wood kiln that used to sit next to the train tracks in our city. Unfortunately the new owners of the land got rid of it.

[@MaineUSA]

Cool dude 😎 thanks man

[@FloridaJack]

Interesting history lesson.

[@CimberMatic]

Nice!

[@amypowell6910]

Very interesting business. I also looked at a video called: Vermont, world's largest granite quarry. We'd be interested in hearing your business plan. How can one man with a small machine manage a quarry? I recently toured locks on the old Delaware & Hudson Canal. They were lined with blocks of rock such as you have. Amazing what is possible with limited technology.

[@vermontheritagegranitecomp2062]

Good questions. I intend on selling to area masons who will be looking for smaller, more irregular wallstone and dimensional blocks that can be split up for different components of an installation. The larger quarries are configured for efficient production of sawn blocks and such that are suited for the monument industry, etc. I am hoping to target a portion of the market that is looking for more "natural" and weathered pieces of stone that will be able to blend into the landscape more. The terrain up there really limits the amount of activity that will be able to take place, so scaling up won't really ever be much of an option, but I am shopping for a larger excavator. I would like to be able to handle 10k# blocks.

[@erichuggins09]

My buddy Alfred. Welcome.

[@carlaworden6566]

wow that boiler ! i use to run trains up north Canada !

[@damnedlock8776]

its a very interesting place.

[@anitraahrens905]

Thanx for the tour, Alfred! Will the quarry be able to operate all year round, or will you need to close down during the cold weather?

[@margiemursch5382]

Very interesting

[@tamaraneil486]

Very cool

[@l.w.5345]

Cool you have old photos.

[@bettyadamsoveranalyzes]

Yeah, working for the National Parks I had frequent chances to poke around the old grout piles in the part quarries. It is facinating what was left there.

[@karionhawkins3091]

New subscriber!

[@scotbenson8097]

I have to think they produced steam to operate some steam-powered tools, or generate electricity for other tools or light. Fits the time period.

[@flatcapfiddle]

Greetings from the UK

[@barbarahouk1983]

Ok I'm 2 weeks late. However, I really liked this video. I liked reading the comments too. I will keep checking back on this channel because it is interesting.

[@marytapioca]

Did you know that Mike Lookinland, (Bobby Brady, The Brady Bunch) now works in Utah making tables and such from granite? You two ought to collaborate.

[@matthewzuleger4569]

5:50 defenetly a boiler the reverse taper weg plugs with the clamp pulling out prove this.

[@myowndayone8722]

Love Morgan’s song for you