Mount Waldo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Waldo |
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 Mount Waldo
Location in Maine
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,060 ft (320 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 840 ft (260 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Frankfort, Waldo County, Maine, U.S. |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hiking, class 1 |
Mount Waldo is a small mountain located in Waldo County, Maine. It stands about 1,060 feet (320 m) tall. You can find it in the town of Frankfort.
Contents
What is Mount Waldo?
Mount Waldo is a well-known mountain in Maine. It's not just a natural landmark. It also has a rich history related to a special kind of rock called granite.
The Story of Mount Waldo Granite
For many years, the granite from Mount Waldo was very important. It was used in a big business. This granite has a unique look. It has a "coarse-grained" texture. This means it looks a bit patchy or mottled, unlike smoother granites.
Even though people don't dig for granite here anymore, you can still see Mount Waldo granite. It was used to build many famous buildings. You can find it in cities like New York, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia.
Where Mount Waldo Granite Was Used
The granite from Mount Waldo was very popular. It was used in many important structures. One of the most famous buildings made with this granite is the Washington Monument. This shows how strong and beautiful the rock is.
The Mount Waldo Granite Quarries
In the early 1800s, Mount Waldo was a busy place. Its bare rock ledges and closeness to the water made it perfect for quarrying. Quarrying is the process of digging out stone from the ground.
How Granite Was Moved
There were two main quarries on Mount Waldo. One was on the northeast side of the mountain. The other was near the top of Mosquito Mountain. Workers used special tracks to move the heavy stone. These tracks used gravity to slide the stone down the hill.
From the quarries, the granite went to cutting sheds. Then it was taken to wharfs on the Marsh River. A wharf is like a dock where boats can load and unload goods. From there, the granite traveled on the Penobscot River. It was shipped to many cities. These included places in Massachusetts, New York, and Philadelphia. It even went to cities further west like Chicago, Milwaukee, and Cleveland.
The Quarry's Location and Operations
One important quarry was on the north side of Mount Waldo. It was about 660 feet (200 m) above sea level. This quarry was operated by the Mount Waldo Granite Works. The granite from this quarry was a medium gray color.
To move the granite, they used two tracks. Each track was about 1,200 feet (370 m) long. The stone slid down these tracks by gravity. Then, a special cable road, about 1¼ miles long, took the granite to the wharf. Large ships could dock at this wharf.
The End of an Era
The quarry at Mount Waldo stopped being used in 1914. Even though it's no longer active, the remains of the quarry are still important. In 1974, the site was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a special historical place.
