Note: This web site, “Stone Quarries and Beyond Continues,” is a continuation of the original/legacy web site, “Stone Quarries and Beyond,” that was created over 20+ years ago by my late husband, Pat Perazzo. I can no longer add to or correct the original web site, although it will remain online as is. Future additions will be added to the new web site “Stone Quarries and Beyond Continues” and our Stone Quarries and Beyond Facebook page. Peggy B. Perazzo
Only the entry page for the Kentucky state section is available at this time on the new web site. You will find the rest of the Kentucky state page on the original web site Stone Quarries and Beyond using the links below.
Geology Resources – Kentucky
- Kentucky Geological Survey, University of Kentucky. Kentucky has many limestone quarries. One of the largest is located in western Kentucky. Many of these are limestone mines, which are operated underground. A large limestone mine is located under parts of Lexington.
- Geology of Kentucky, presented by the Kentucky Geological Survey.
- Many Definitions of Minerals
- Maps and GIS
- Minerals
- Publications & Map Catalogs of the Kentucky Geological Survey
- Rocks and Minerals
- A geologic map of the state of Kentucky on ResearchGate.
- Eastern Kentucky – This site includes a section on Eastern Kentucky geology and is a part of the Kentucky Coal Heritage page.
- “Economic Geology,” by Preston McGrain. (excerpt) “Mineral resources are very important to the economy of Kentucky, providing a current (1982) annual income of more than $3 billion; more than 90 percent of this amount is derived from fuel resources….”
- Economic Geology of the Kenova Quadrangle: Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia, Bulletin 349 (excerpts), by Phalen, William Clifton, Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey, Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C., 1908.
- “The Fossil Lady: Digging up ancient history along Kentucky’s highways,” by Haley Kosik, updated May 20, 2021, on FOX56.
- “Fossils of Kentucky,” YouTube video by Jessamine County Public Library, July 21, 2021.
- “Geology along the Roadways of Kentucky,” Kentucky Geological Survey, the University of Kentucky.
- Geology of Fayette County, presented by the Kentucky Geological Survey, by Brandon Taylor, Shea Burns, and Stephen Greb.
- “Geology of Kentucky” section of Wikimedia Commons.
- The Geology of Kentucky – A Text to Accompany the Geologic Map of Kentucky, edited By Robert C. McDowell. Contributions to the Geology of Kentucky, U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1151-H.
- “Geology of the Mammoth Cave National Park Area,” Kentucky Geological Survey, 1953, revised 1962.
- “How fossils tell Kentuckiana’s geological story. Many of the scenic features we appreciate about our area today can be attributed to geological changes that happened millions of years ago.” By rob Harris and Courtney Hayden, updated February 27, 2021, on WHAS11/ABC.
- Huge Map Details Kentucky’s Geology, WUKY, December 1, 2011.
- “In Geologic Time: The History And Significance Of Louisville’s Rocks,” by Sean Patrick Hill, March 31, 2021, Leo Weekly.
- Interactive map of Kentucky’s geology and natural resources.
- Kentucky Atlas & Gazetteer, presented by the Kentucky Geological Survey.
- Kentucky – Generalized Geologic Map of Kentucky. (The Generalized Geologic Map of Kentucky from 1979, University of Kentucky Geological Survey shows periods and faults, with county detail.)
- Kentucky geologic map data, U. S. Geological Survey.
- Kentucky Geological Survey – ScienceBase-Catalog, U. S. Geological Survey.
- Kentucky Museums That Display Rocks and Minerals
- Berea College, Department of Geology, Berea
- Clement Collection, Marion, Kentucky
- Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond
- Georgetown College, Georgetown
- Museum of Natural History, Louisville
- Morehead State University, Morehead
- Murray State University, Murray
- Transylvania University, Lexington
- University of Kentucky, Department of Geosciences, Lexington
- University of Kentucky, Kentucky Geological Survey, Lexington
- Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green
- Kentucky Rocks and Minerals, presented by the Kentucky Geological Survey, University of Kentucky.
- Kentucky, USA, on mindat.org.
- “Kentucky’s Geologic Heritage: the history of KGS and geology in Kentucky,” Kentucky Geological Survey. (“This video shares the story of KGS’s history, provides glimpses into the research conducted by KGS scientists, and describes the geology of Kentucky. The purpose of a geological survey and how geologists work with their communities to solve geologic problems is also highlighted.”)
- “Limestone and Dolomite Resources of Kentucky” (Map), University of Kentucky.
- “Limestone Industry – Limestone Central Kentucky,” Kentucky Geological Survey.
- A Location Guide for Rockhounds, (PDF) Collected by Robert C. Beste, PG, St. Louis, Missouri: Hobbitt Press, 2nd ed., December 1996, 148 pp. (Includes chapters on “Mineral Locations by State,” “Appendix and Glossary,” and “Bibliography.”)
- Mineral and Fuel Resources Map of Kentucky, by Warren H. Anderson and Garland R. Dever, 1998, presented by the Kentucky Geological Survey. (“This is a 1:500,000-scale map of Kentucky showing major occurrences of mineral resources such as limestone, dolomite, fluorite, sand and gravel, and clay. It also shows major producing areas of coal, oil, and gas, as well as the locations of many mines and quarries, mineral occurrences, gas-storage fields, and tar-sand resource areas.”)
- National Geologic Map Database, presented by the United States Geologic Survey.
- Paleontology and geology, Kentucky, US, the Paleontology Portal.
- “Paleontology in Kentucky” section of Wikipedia.
- Place Name Search, presented by the United States Geological Survey.
- Rocks, presented by Minerals and Rocks of Kentucky (photographs)
- State Geology Digital Documents: Kentucky, Iowa Sciences Library.
- “Stones Found in Kentucky,” by Josh Patrick, updated April 25, 2017, on Sciencing.
- Travels in Geology: Rocks and Climbing at Kentucky’s Red River Gorge, by Lucas Joel, January 22, 2016, Earth: The Science Behind the Headlines.
- University of Kentucky – Department of Geological Sciences
- U. S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet on Kentucky
- Virtual Museum of Geology – Kentucky Rock Shops & Geology Attractions.
- Virtual Museum of Geology – Online Geological Archive, Mineral & Fossil Shop.
- Western Kentucky University Geology Department, Bowling Green, KY 42101; (502) 745-0111. (The minerals and fossils are located in hall cabinets in the hallway.)
Stone Carvers/Stone Cutters/Monument Dealers in Kentucky
- Austing G. Bartlett, Russellville, Kentucky, stone quarry operator – Russellville Stone Quarry. The Barlett Family Papers (1858-1930) are a part of The Filson Historical Society collection. These are the personal and business papers of Irving C. Bartlett, of Louisville, Kentucky, (a wholesale distillery distributor), and his son, Austing G. Bartlett, a stone quarry operator. One of the subjects of the papers is the Russellville, Kentucky, stone quarry. (Source: Knt001341) This resource is listed in the Kentuckiana Digital Library.
- William Batterson, Stonemason and Builder – Architect in Boone County, Kentucky. The following information was obtained from the Comprehensive Architectural Guide of Boone County, Kentucky, prepared by Margaret Warminski, submitted to: Boone County Historic Preservation Review Board, Burlington, KY and Kentucky Heritage Council, Frankfort, KY, 1996 (The link from which the following information was obtained is no longer available.)
<http://www.boonecountyky.org/bcpc/Historic/publications/ArchitecturalSurvey.pdf>One of the few known architects and builders listed in this guide is William Batterson, who was a stonemason and builder-architect in the late Victorian era. The buildings attributed to him in the northern part of Boone County are the Allie Corn House in the Queen Anne style, the Alonzo Gaines House, “a transitional Colonial Revival dwelling,” and the Marietta Gaines House, “the sole representation of the Stick Style in the county.”
- Lewis Craig (Rev.) (about 1735-1825), Stonemason and Architect, Minerva, Mason County, Kentucky, presented by Jim Wilks on his Wilks – Craig – Fowler – Kelley family gedcom web site. (The quotation below is used with permission.) (The link from which this information was obtained is no longer available.)
<http://www.my-ged.com/db/page/jimwilks/162>“Excerpt from Ann Woodlief’s Craig Family genealogy.
“(Lewis Craig) settled at Craig’s Station on Gilberts Creek in Garrard Co., moved to Fayette Co. and the South Elkhorn church under 1792, then lived in Minerva in Mason Co. until his death, pastoring and building a substantial church. He established a number of churches and worked also as a stonemason or architect. He built the first church, the first school house, and the first courthouse (in Washington) Kentucky.”
- Irish Stonemasons – Rock Fences in the Bluegrass. The information below is taken from the online article: “Rock Fences of the Bluegrass Still in Jeopardy” (photographs and history), by Leatha Kendrick, on the University of Kentucky/Odyssey Online web site maintained by Alicia Gregory. (The book and author referred to below are Rock Fences of the Bluegrass, by Carolyn Murray-Wooley and Karl Raitz.) (The following quotation is used with permission.) (This link is only available on the Internet Archive Wayback Machine now.)
“Eight years ago Karl Raitz’ work on rock fences in Kentucky was instrumental in debunking the myth that these fences were built by slaves before the Civil War. The myth of the fences’ construction, like many myths, was partly true. His investigation traced the real origins of the fences to the work of Irish stonemasons who immigrated into the Bluegrass in the early to mid-19th century. These masons passed the craft along to slaves who became master artisans themselves and further passed the craft on to other black artisans, giving rise to the popular labeling of the rock fences as ‘slave walls.'”
- Irish Stone Masons in the Bluegrass Area – “Stone Masons and Their Craft in the Bluegrass Area of Kentucky.” “Paper examining prevalence of stone structures and living stonemasons in area surrounding Franklin County, Ky. Includes biographical information and qualifications of stonemasons, 1986 survey of stone structures, photos and related 1959 article.” Guide to the Linda Allen Anderson Collection, Nov. 22, 1959, Dec. 1985-April 1986, University of Kentucky Libraries, Special Collections and Archives. Extent: 1 folder. 82 items. 12 color photos. 68 b/w photos. Repository: Western Kentucky University Folklife Archives, Bowling Green, Kentucky, 42101-3576. (Some of the relevant subjects are: Stone masonry in Anderson County; the Bluegrass Region, Ky.; Fayette County; Franklin County; Jefferson County; Mercer County; Scott County; and Woodford County; and the Quarries and quarrying in the Bluegrass Region; Stone Buildings in the Bluegrass Region.)
- Joel Tanner Hart (1836-1877) “Kentucky stone cutter who became a sculptor and poet. His most famous sculptures are of Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay. He spent the last thirty years of his life in Florence, Italy. The collection includes letters to and from Hart. The Earliest, written while he was a stonecutter….” Repository: The Filson Historical Society. Guide to the Joel Tanner Hart Papers, 1836-1877. This resource is listed in the Filson Historical Society.
- Robert Jackson, Sr. (Bourbon Co.), Richard Tufnell and, stonemason Stanley Matherly (Bourbon Co.) (interviews) from World of Our Own: Kentucky Folkways, produced by KET, Kentucky Educational Television. If you are interested in obtaining this video or others from Kentucky Education Television, you can call the KET Tape Duplication Service at (859) 258-7217 (800-945-9167 in Kentucky) or e-mail tapes@ket.org for information. (The quotation below is used with permission.) (The link to this program is no longer available, although it is available on the Internet Archive Wayback Machine.)
- In Programs 5 and 6: The Art of the Everyday, Drystone Masonry, there is an interview with Robert Jackson, Sr. (Bourbon Co.), expert Richard Tufnell and, second generation stonemason Stanley Matherly (Bourbon Co.) Robert Jackson states:
“From stonemason Robert C. Jackson Sr., we learn that ‘green rock,’ rock fresh from the ground, is easier to work because it’s still full of moisture.”
- In Programs 5 and 6: The Art of the Everyday, Drystone Masonry, there is an interview with Robert Jackson, Sr. (Bourbon Co.), expert Richard Tufnell and, second generation stonemason Stanley Matherly (Bourbon Co.) Robert Jackson states:
- John Metcalfe, Stonemason – Paris, Kentucky (history)
The following information is presented by Bob Francis on his Root and Branch web site. (BB-152 – Mt. Lebanon, Gov. James Garrard House; 1785 Peacock Road) (This link is no longer available.) His web site was named Bourbon County, Kentucky: History and Genealogy of the Region.
<http://www.shawhan.com/ruddlesprecinct.html>One of 35 stone dwellings that are document in Bourbon County is located on a rise overlooking Stoner Creek. The building was constructed “…by renown stonemason John Metcalfe, the two-story, central passage ashlar house with one-story ell exhibits excellent workmanship.” in 1785.
- Thomas Metcalfe, Stonemason and Governor, Metcalfe County, KentuckyThe following information was obtained from “Inauguration Has Colorful History,” written by Tom Stephens Kentucky Historical Society. (The link from which the following information was obtained is no longer available.)
<http://gov.state.ky.us/inaugurations/inaug95/history.htm>One of the stonemasons who helped build the Old State Capitol was Thomas Metcalfe. On August 26, 1828, he was inaugurated as governor, and in 1860 Metcalfe County was named in his honor.
- “Metcalfe: from Stonemason to Governor,” article by Sam Terry, Managing Editor, Jobe Publishing Inc., August 18, 2017.
- The First Presbyterian Church of West Union is known as the “Church of the Governors.” (This information is presented on the Ohio Bicentennial Commission web site.) (The link from which the following information was obtained is no longer available.)
<http://www.ohio200.org/markers/detail.asp?PID=7>The Church was constructed by stonemason and Kentucky governor Thomas Metcalfe in 1810.
- Governor Thomas Kirker, Homestead, Southeast of West Union on State Route 136, West Union, Ohio. (This information is presented on the Adams County Travel and Visitors Bureau web site. The quotation below is used with permission.) (The link from which the following information was obtained is no longer available.)
<http://www.adamscountytravel.org/attractions.htm>“The hewn stone section of the house is the original home of Ohio’s second governor. It was erected in 1805. The stonemason was Thomas Metcalf, later a governor of Kentucky. It is located on State Route 136 and Township Road 21. The two-story addition, now the front of the home, was built in 1852 by George Kirker, son of the governor. George Kirker later served as a Captain in the Civil War. It is privately owned.”
- Watkins Tavern, Versailles, Woodford County, Kentucky. The information below was obtained from the Signs of History: Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Virginia web site, presented by Grover and Jayne Hibberd. (The following quotation is used with permission.) (This site is no longer available, although you can read about Watkins Tavern on the Historical Marker Database.<http://www.signsofhistory.com/kentucky/Woodford/watktav.htm>
“Site of stone tavern/inn built by stonemason Thomas Metcalfe, later governor of Ky. Owned by Henry Watkins and wife Elizabeth, widow of Rev. John Clay and mother of Henry Clay. Lafayette, traveling from Frankfort to Lexington, was entertained here on May 15, 1825; greeted friends and veterans and had to address crowd from upper balcony. Tavern burned in 1886.”
“Watkins Tavern” on the HUdb.org the Historical Marker Database.
West Union United Presbyterian Church, 104 South Second Street, West Union, Ohio.
“The West Union United Presbyterian Church was built of hewn stone in 1810. The stonemason was Thomas Metcalf who later became Governor of Kentucky. Governor Thomas Kirker was instrumental in getting the church built. This is the oldest church structure in Ohio still in use as a church.”