Running along the east side of Blue Hill Harbor, glaciers left exposed a rich vein of blue-gray granite. In the early part of the nineteenth century, the stone was prized for the construction of bridges and large buildings in fast-growing American cities.

By the mid-point of the nineteenth century, several quarries were active along East Blue Hill Road. This view shows about 40 workers at one of the quarry sites, along with a block and tackle hoist.