mwvhistorytrails: Redstone Walking Tour Field Guide, Conway New Hampshire (west to east)

Note: This is a DRAFT version last updated 2023 10-20.

For comments, suggestions or more details contact:

Bob Cottrell, Curator

Conway Public Library's Henney History Room

603-447-5552

cell phone 603-323-3359

Outline of tour

Where (and why) is the Redstone Quarry
Split stone
Welcome sign
Hemlock Lane Kiosk
Train tracks
Engaged column
Steam Engines
Latrines
Stone shed
Derricks and rails
Lathe House
Green Quarry
View
Red Quarry
Carpenter Shop
Redstone Village
Triangle Park

Flag pole

History written in stone

Bench

Sundial

Crossroads

Company Store

Boarding house

Airport

Further afield

Credits and Acknowledgements

To make the trip a circle, you can walk back from the Redstone Village triangle park to your car parked in the cul de sac on Hemlock Lane within a short time (ten minutes) along Redstone Road.

For a Valley Vision video tour from the Hemlock kiosk to the sundial see this link here.

You should allow about two hours for this adventure and 1 mile. Most of the trail is mostly flat and easy.

If you chose to scramble around the quarry it can add another x hour or more and become much more difficult with an elevation gain of x feet.

Be sure to follow all of New Hampshire's hike safe rules for details see this link. Check here to see if it is hunting season. Even if it is not hunting season, wearing hunter's orange is a good idea. At other times of the year follow guidelines to protect against ticks and insects.

For more information contact the Conway Public Library's Henney History Room.

We would like to thank the many people and organizations that helped develop this trail. Please see the credits at the end.

the signs can be found at this link.

click on images to enlarge them

right click on images to save them to your computer

start here at the kiosk

trail map

replace map below with most up to date contour with # and date updated

add updated directional signage map here

split stone

are examples nearby

add more?

curb here

There could be an interpretive sign here on tools

add bit here about hands-on explore tools at chs?

insert pics those tools and the marks they make

You can learn more about these tools by visiting the Conway Historical Society link their website here.

tool box owned by A.J. "Babe" Pinette dated 1932

real name Pinette also drew the memory map we refer to here.

list some of his work records, etc.

A good description of the tools and techniques used to split granite can be found here.

first step to drill star drill that looks like this

You can see a video of that process here.

then insert feathers and wedges

then split

hope it splits straight along grain

insert from slide 42 stone splitting

why not able to copy?

then rough finish

then series of finer and finer brush hammers

then finish tools for fine finish work

add more here

need a directional sign here to the crossing on the right

Turn left at the "alien" concrete barrier

cross the rr tracks here

If it is clear, look at the details of the raised letters on the rails.

Hounsell, pp. 193+

"In 1880, the attention of George W. Wagg was called to the fine quality of granite which was used in some bridges of Conway."

copy more from Hounsell p. 195 use this instead? or in addition?

"Somewhere between 1876 and 1880, there arose a need for stone abutments for three bridges in Conway... They were made of granite boulders lying handily at the foot of Rattlesnake Mountain. The ease with which this stone was split and handled excited the admiration of the stonecutters and it was not long before this came to the attention of George W. Wagg, general roadmaster for the Maine Central Railroad. He saw great possibilities in the stone because of its color and the fine luster it would take, too."

then map navigation, but also community, it is a memory map drawn by A.J. "Babe" Pennette. (check spelling, ask Ken Rancourt for more info on this).

The image below is a hand drawn map of the area. It can help you navigate through Redstone village and understand the industrial areas on the trail.

insert photos here of the path from the train crossing to NEMBA sign #39

Directional post #39. Follow the arrow that leads "To Hemlock"

Rejected, polished green column," pilaster", or better description "engaged column."

flat on one side, designed to go up against a building rather than to stand free. Reportedly it was to have been part of a structure at Grand Central Station, NYC. As recently as the year 2000 there was another rejected, round, polished green column lying nearby close to 17 feet long. It was cut in half in Ringe, NH for the Schiavi Co., owner at the time, and installed on the front corners of the Intervale, NH Post Office. The left hand column reveals an obvious seam which presumably was the reason for rejection.

Steve Swenson photo

notice the holes in each end of the engaged column. Later on the trail we will discover the purpose for those holes and see the machine on which the column was turned, shaped.

Next you cross an open field with powerlines

Then come to a gate, with a sign post #40 on the left

continue following "Swenson" path

Not far on the left

then on the right

Now to the boiler room seen on the map below.

And in the photo below.

Two coal- fired boilers and two giant air compressor-steam engine flywheel combinations were originally enclosed within the same building. Boiler fronts are gone and a number of metal parts have been stolen for scrap metal. The boilers provided steam to power the engines which in turn drove the compressors that provided air for pneumatic tools in the quarries and stone sheds. The large air compressors, built by Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co., were installed in 1903 and 1905.

stamped "Governor 4"

stamped "Governor 3 1/2"

Stamped, embossed "Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co."

The photo below shows what the boiler plate or door would have looked like.

There are more metal items in the woods along here

on the left

Large CALIX core samples of green granite drilled prior to the last job furnished from Redstone in 1948 by the Swenson and Fletcher granite companies for an addition to the Criminal Courts building in NYC. Conway green granite was specified by the architect, quarried at Redstone and shipped by rail to Concord, N.H. and Milford, M.A. for final finishing by the Swenson and Fletcher companies respectively.

Three thousand and two foot core drilled in 1974-75 for exploration by the US Energy Research and Development Administration. The purpose was to evaluate the heat flow and geothermal potential of the Conway Granite. Secondarily to evaluate the potential source of uranium and thorium assocciated with the Conway Granite. Results did not warrant further exploration. However, there have been further speculations of potential geothermal sources within the Mount Washington Valley.

pipe in the woods on the right

sawdust duct box? on the right

watch out for this trip hazard

Latrine on the right

Latrine building

notice the ditch in the picture above

The next stop after the quarry loop is the site of the old stone shed

Stone shed and blacksmith's forge with fire brick, parts of which have been stolen for scrap metal. The location is in the NNE corner of the original, 500 foot long, wooden stone shed. A cut guy wire from "Matron's" derrick is still visible on the ground while the two photos illustrate what was stolen for scrap metal (2012).

tool sharpening shed device on the right

was inside the stone shed

be careful of the open drain (this should be covered)

Notice the foundation wall for the wooden shed that was here that covered the tool sharpening station.

The photo below by x shows the stolen blacksmith forge and metal plates.

Manufactured by Pirie Tool sharpening machine co

Barre VT USA

Pat Mar 14, 1905

Is that forge seen above actually over by the tumbler site?

see photo here from there

Is this the forge from the tool sharpening site?

several views of the stone shed

dimensions

note the site was cleared of trees then

you could see the homes in the village from the stone shed

Here is view of the shed

in this photo notice the ornately carved Corinthian capitals and the web of derricks and wires in the background

MWM PSU collection

here see "back" side of the post 42 looking at the intersection beyond. Should be able to see from one sign post and/or blaze to the next so easy to follow the trail.

The back side of post 42 shows the Outer limits trail heads off to the left

post number 42.

From this post NEMBA 42 you can head up to the quarry site. This will add x time and x elevation gain to the trail.

Retrace your steps and return to the main intersection and continue straight ahead to post #42. directional sign

Perhaps add a directional sign reading "to the quarry" 5 minute walk, x feet elevation gain, with an arrow to the right could be added to this post on the empty face here.

From this post 42 you can see the lathe shed through the trees. Should we clear some of these trees?

here see "back" side of the post 42 looking at the intersection beyond. Should be able to see from one sign post and/or blaze to the next so easy to follow the trail.

The back side of post 42 shows the Outer limits trail heads off to the left

As you approach the old lathe shed from post 42,

On the way you will pass the remains of an old derrick.

You can see the image/icon of this derrick at the center of the yard on this map

As many as six different rail lines connected to the yard.

Here is the base of the derrick

Note the galvanized turnbuckles to keep the wires tight

add info even if not from this derrick, manufacturer and do that for all t&e, ck hagley, siris, etc. for info on manufacturers

Some of the derricks we will see came from the American Hoist & Derrick Co, St. Paul Minn, Chilled Derrick Patented Feb 4, 1913. Dsc00745

insert photos, map info, perhaps working model, simple machines, on how the derrick system worked.

for patent see this link: here.

and slide 181 etc. 2018 11-05 Redstone Outreach slideshow previsit pine tree elem

Remnants of "Matron's" derrick, likely with a 90 foot mast and 80 foot boom, was strategically located and able to reach granite blocks coming from the two-way pink quarry tracks, the one-way green quarry tracks as well as any of the lathes. The base plat "socket" is obvious, the boom is mostly gone while parts of the mast remain along with the massive assembly of steel and ten guy wire attachments.

This massive assembly was on the top of the mast. Many of the wooden masts and booms were of Douglas Fur shipped on articulated flatcars from the Pacific North West.

Below is the top of the derrick.

Yard area at the bottom of the one-way track from the green quarry. Multiple buildings were once here. Still remaining is the polishing shed with partial roof which could handle a column close to 19 feet long. No longer enclosed lies the large lathe which did the initial "roughing out" of a column prior to polishing. Columns were moved on slings hooked to a derrick and lowered in and out of the lathe building, thus the partial open roof remaining on the polishing shed.

Explore the Lathe building

How to preserve this building and it's contents? Should we contact NH Preservation Alliance and/or NH Dept Historical Resources, HABS/HAER for advice, support? It would be nice to have students do detailed photos and measured drawings, research on the companies involved, etc.

This part of the building is leaning precariously. The support to the right has rotted at the base due to contact with the soil.

Now let's look at the lathe inside the building.

How it worked

Note: The sundial at the east entrance and the pilaster near the west entrance were turned on this lathe.

A tree has grown in the middle of the lathe cradle. Should we cut it?

leather belts were connected to the drive above.

Some of these belts may have been made at Page Belting Company in Concord, NH. Tie to NHDCR info if they have it. As of 2021 the company is still in business. See this link here.

It was made by the Betts Machine Co. in Wilmington, Delaware

which photo looks better on a cell phone? click on images to enlarge them.

For more on this company see this link here.

There is a second lathe outside.

look for the manufacturer mark/label on the machine

Cottrell photo 3/27/22, DSCF0503

insert Desjardin photo showing the manufacturer mark here

F.R. Patch MFG Co. Rutland VT

research this co.

knuckle joints

How to explain these gears and gizmos?

Next you can head up to the quarry

describe the elevation gain, etc.

there are two options

suggest go up one and down the other?

option A take the wider road up

This is a historic photo showing the old rail line

You will be walking over the old train lines that ran up and down the mountain. Here you can see them before the trees grew in.

On this route you would walking up the rail that went to a derrick at a T on the edge of the red quarry, seen the picture above between the two large waist piles of broken rock and in the map below.

If you take this path, On the right you will see several piles rock

Then come to a T

Option B follow the narrow rail line from the lathe house up to the green quarry seen on the map below.

Another option is to take the old rail line up to the Green Quarry

go around the back of the lathe house and find the rail line/track (fuji8279 +)

We could remove dirt so that the rail can be seen as in the map.

as you follow the tracks on the ground, follow the wires that go into the trees, literally into and through the trees. Actually you will see how the trees have grown around the wires

pic/s of that

Again look down at the tracks

see how a small tree is growing up between the tracks and may eventually surround it.

In April 2021 this axle and pair of wheels was still on the track.

photos from March 27, 2022

In April 2021 this old metal bedstead head board seen in the photo above was here.

And below another axle and pair of wheels were not far away in the woods leaning up against a tree.

Finally you will reach an intersection, cross roads

need a directional sign here

go right here ,

Then come to a T

between is a big rock with graffiti (could put plaque on this)

First take the path to the right. It is a short dead end into the "red" quarry.

The following section of the trail guide is a round trip detour to the red quarry and a scurry up to the ledge above.

Note: this is not recommended for inexperienced hikers. It can be risky.

As you move along this path, you will notice the subtle change in color of the stone from "green" to "red"

insert here about this scramble

And do a link to that whole video here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPv_1Cl3vpw

6:06 drill holes and

6:13 and wedges

copy these pics as print screens and add to field guide

7:13,hairy climb, derrick pins?

7:30 derrick still there

7:35 great view scary climb down

8:08 see up from down

8:42 handle that still works on big rough lathe, parts face plate, tail stock

9:08 roof cut away so derrick can drop granite to the lathe

Then re-trace your steps and come back to the T and continue on what would have been the left path at the large stone

Soon it splits forks (we took the right, better to follow the left and take next right) need to photo these other trails later.

or should we build this trail safer? or both? as it does give good elevated view of the quarry

here is the trail we should take now as it is safer and easier from the crossroads

follow this curving path up the hill to the Green quarry

along the way, you will find piles of "waste" rock.

some showing a variety of tool marks.

The section of trail below is paved with stone. Should we have more of that?

Notice the rail line along the path.

View near the top looking back.

More rusty metal.

boiler

rivets

Walworth (NY valve company)

ladder against a tree

derrick and its "bull wheel" wetland protection, conservation

Green quarry, full of ground water, at the top of the one-way, winch rail line. Remnants remain of three wooden derricks, an engine house and "tugger" winch (1893) which retracted a rail car from the end of an extensive quarry dump. Parts of two derricks are obvious within the quarry hole while the third, "stiff-leg" derrick was higher up in the back SE corner of the quarry. When viewing the latter remnants one may note an excellent example of a "clovis" arrangement of hardware which is the anchor for a guy-wire attached to the top of a derrick.

to remains of engine house

perhaps develop this as the main trail up and down?

see 11/21/2020 photos #3451 etc.

how to preserve this and protect provide safety to visitors?

At the top you will find the remains of the main quarry operation.

How it used to look, how it looks now.

Engine house

looks like this now

used to look like this

picture of the remains of this machinery

match to the photo above

notice the pitman arm in the photo above

now go to the right, behind the engine house remains leads to a nice view, but don't go if you have vertigo,

fenway

Detour to the engine house, continue past to the right of it (behind it)

preservation issue

The Dela Vergne Refrigerating Machine Co. New York.

Take short detour on top of the "tailings" to view/overlook

the trail on the left here

need to follow the trail on the right later
along the way build barrier/s, coping? on both sides to define edges

incorporate the old rails into the trail, design in drainage

add photos/measure the slope, width and height of the tailings or waste pile you are walking on

along the way you will pass this

Then come to dead end.

View ranges from large house on Birch Hill, on the left, Chocorua, then the peaks of the Moat Mountains and possibly catch a glimpse of the White Mountain Hotel at the base of White Horse Ledge.

compare with additional photos from today,

Now go back to the engine house, and head along the path by the edge of the water

April 18, 2021 graffiti

In the photo above you can see the bull wheel just under the water's surface.

Stamped American Derrick Co. St. Paul Minn.

cotter pin

back to this 4 corners

Now head back down hill to the sign post number x and

to the view

again,

Heading down the hill

What should we do with all these relatively loose metal parts?

Back to the lathe house

Continue on and when reach the bottom and the 4 corners, turn right onto the main Swenson path/route/trail

post number 42.

insert quarry loop info and pics and map here

install safety warning signs here

rocks can be slippery

metal rusty and sharp can cut

From this post NEMBA 42 you can head up to the quarry site. This will add x time and x elevation gain to the trail.

Retrace your steps and return to the main intersection and continue straight ahead to post #42. directional sign

Perhaps add a directional sign reading "to the quarry" 5 minute walk, x feet elevation gain, with an arrow to the right could be added to this post on the empty face here.

Post number 41.

Just down the road to the left are the remains of the carpenter shop.

This building should probably be boarded up or removed for safety reasons.

The picture below shows more graffiti has been added since the previous visit.

The "Carpenter Shop" a two story building with roof intact however seriously vandalized. Earlier photos show a handsome building which served many purposes including storage of supplies. Carpenters were important workers responsible for ongoing maintenance of many wooded structures as well as crating of finished stone work to protect it during shipping by rail.

Just a short distance away

on the other side of the 4 corners, intersection

you will find NEMBA post number 41.

take a left here

See the post #41 behind the person

directing you to the Swenson trail and the outer limits trail to the right

other directional signs can be found on the trees themselves.

Could/should we use signs like this for the Redstone Quarry trail?
x

What to do with all the wire, metal remains all around?

and these wooden remains?

Could we/Should we, could we clear some of these trees to open up the views? perhaps through a timber cut?

You are following the old paths that many men worked along for over x years, since the 1880's.

Look at the map above to find the path you have taken from the school to the office.

The next structure you will come to the remains of the office

another Y forming a short cut to the lathe house

this then forms a triangle, but don't go there yet.

instead go left/straight come to a concrete structure, on the left.

continue of the left fork.

Swenson youtube video says this was for the gang saw and tumbler at 4 min 23 sec. See it here.

Here is a photo showing the concrete structure and the rock tumbler before it was stolen. From the website here and the webpage here. (This Rock Tumbler was stolen out of the quarry in 2010 for scrap metal. Photo courtesy Stephen Thomas collection). need to get permission to use this photo.

photo by x of stolen tumbler

business office

George Wagg on the left. Conway Historical Society 2018.262.001

Conway Historical Society 2018.263.001

add detail of this image with George Wagg, bowler hat

off in the woods near here

To the left just after the concrete structure for the tumbler and before the intersection/road that leads to the carpenter's building is a ditch feature that leads to more piles of metal, etc.

see the ditch on the right of the photo

Is this the forge from the tool sharpening site?

Swenson youtube video says this was for the gang saw and tumbler at 4 min 23 sec. See it here.

photo by x of stolen tumbler

Are these the same photos? perhaps photographer and collector?

continue of the left fork.

You will next come to an intersection of two trails.

be careful, be aware, listen, observe, fast moving bikes often move along these trails

share the trail

Need directional sign here at this Y.

a closer look at that previous memory map

More trash/debris

Swenson youtube video says this was for the office at 2 min 30 sec. See it here.

Should these debris piles be treated as an archaeological dig? Should that or any work in here be coordinated with the State archaeology dept? the division of historical resources? etc? Perhaps for the buildings the NH Preservation Alliance? Should we consider adding the site to the State and/or National Register of Historic Places?

Here is a picture of how the office used to look

insert picture of it from the inside too.

below can see remnants of when the path/road was paved.

There is trash that should be removed (who would do that? when? how often?)

Until it comes to a fork. Need directional sign here.

Take the left fork that leads you on a path through these large concrete blocks.

Follow the old paved road for a short distance until it ends and transitions to dirt roads.

We have had some theft and vandalism ...

The road is paved for a while

Eastern entrance gate

Walk around the gate. Be sure to carefully read the signs.

what are rules of parking here?

insert pic of car parking here

School

two room school, steam whistle

location of church

info on Redstone Church from Hounsell, 196,

small non-denominational church built by I.C. Pert.

insert here about the houses and street names

train tracks

This sidetrack was a second set of railroad tracks was covered with asphalt leading into the trees on both sides

notice the cracks in the asphalt under which the train tracks are covered.

This was the "side track" or siding where train cars could be set aside so as not to stop the regular train traffic on the main line.

Below is looking "south" or "east" to the right

This main line runs to Portland Maine, a port of the Atlantic Ocean.

If you look carefully down the track you can see where the siding or side track meets again with the main track.

and below to the left

This line runs (or ws intended to run to (Ogdensburg? the Saint Lawrence? seaway, ck history and include maps of the period and today.

As a result, granite from this quarry could be sent by rail to a port and then shipped by sail and steam anywhere in the world.

western set of train tracks

The train depot seen on the map was located in the field behind the railroad crossing sign.

show comparison photo this angle/view today

an interpretive sign or qr code to a webpage could related the relationship of the railroad to the development of the quarry, see Hounsell, pp. 193+

"In 1880, the attention of George W. Wagg was called to the fine quality of granite which was used in some bridges of Conway."

copy more from Hounsell p. 195 use this instead? or in addition?

Please respect private property as you pass through the village area.

Now you will head from the railroad tracks and enter the village area.

curb

Flag pole

flagpole

at the base of the flagpole

then map navigation, but also community, it is a memory map drawn by A.J. "Babe" Pennette. (check spelling, ask Ken Rancourt for more info on this).

You will pass this welcome sign at the far end of the triangle area.

Look carefully at it's shape and the different textures of it's surfaces.

In this photo above you can see three different textures of stone finishing.

insert here or later about the tools that shaped the stone?

History written in stone

Just beyond the granite column are two slabs of stone engraved with some of the history of Redstone.

curb

engraved piece of redstone.

Notice the smooth, almost glass like surface of the stone.

look at the long drill lines on the end of the stone indicating the use of modern equipment.

look at the different tool marks on this end of the stone showing evidence of yet a different tool.

green stone

greenstone

Bench

Just beyond the two slabs of stone the bench in the foreground here can tell us ...

while seems simple and straightforward, actually good lesson in stone

show marks on bench and then the tools used

Compare the smooth surfaces with the rough surfaces. Look closely for tool marks.

Sundial

The image below is a hand drawn map of the area. It can help you navigate through Redstone village and understand the industrial areas on the trail.

Here is a detail of the "triangle" section which serves as a veteran's memorial.

You can use some old photographs from the Conway Public Library's Henney History Room and other collections to orient your self in space and time.

sundial

Notice the base of the sundial is pink granite with a matte finish, that is then surrounded by highly polished/shiney green granite.

insert here pics of the names and the writing on the memorial

If you look at it from the angle below,

The item in the foreground is a sundial that commemorates the names of Redstone veterans from the first world war, 1917-1919.

For more veteran memorials in Conway see this link.

If you look beyond the monuments here in the triangle park, you can see the quarries cut into the hill beyond.

If you look at it from the angle below,

Here is what that view used to look like

You can see some of the derricks used to move the stone blocks around.

Here is a comparable view from today.

Here is a detail of that view

This is what to look for as you drive along Route 302 (near walmart?)

Here you will find the "Redstone Triangle" at the intersection of Eastman Road and Mountain Street. (what the best way to describe in words and illustrate in images how to get to this spot?

You can park on the side of the road around the triangle (need to confirm that this parking is ok)

From here to the "lathe house" is about 15 minutes. From the lathe house to the quarry is another 5 minutes with an elevation gain of x feet.

In this photo you can see one of the old buildings that served as a store for the Redstone community. More on this later.

triangle park

A couple more images to show where to park, should we delete them? Can we post signs saying where to park and where not to park?

Let's check out this sundial

careful observation, guided discovery, clues, evidence, history detectives

If you look at it from this angle you can see the sundial, the street name signs, and the historic building beyond which served as the store (more on this later).

This short, easy walking tour of Redstone starts at this magnificent granite sundial in the "triangle" park and heads northwest to another parking site at Hemlock Lane near Walmart. The trail is a small part of an extensive multiuse trail system.

While relatively short and easy, this tour provides an amazing number of interesting historical features (and views), and if you bike it, lots of action and adventure. At one time there were more than 350 men employed in the quarry operation here.

The first section of this trail guide shows some of the highlights of the trail. After that we get into quite a bit of detail for the planning and implementation of directional and interpretive signage. (until we see this picture above of a large stone sundial again).

(could a simplified drawing/sketch of this serve as a logo for our sign system?)

for directions, a map, location search see this link here.

community crossroads

crossroads

company store

Boarding House

add airport

If you want to return to the Hemlock parking area from the sundial, redstone triangle, your car/starting point retrace your steps until you get to the intersection of Redstone Street

need street sign and directional signage here