Granite columns once emerged from this very spot. We are standing at Lyons Turning Mill. This mill is a testament to Quincy’s granite industry. It stands as a reminder of the skilled workers who shaped stone into art.
Lyons Turning Mill was more than just a factory. It was a hub of innovation and industry. James Lyon established the Lyons Granite Company in 1893. He invested $40,000 into the business. The mill itself was constructed in 1893 and 1894. It measured 200 feet by 90 feet.
Imagine the scene. Giant lathes turned granite cylinders. Jennies polished them to perfection. The Lyons Turning Mill was equipped for large-scale production. The mill’s power plant boasted a 150 hp steam boiler. A 100 hp steam engine drove the machinery. This steam engine ran the shaft, belt and pulley system.
A 20-ton traveling derrick moved massive stones. Three other derricks lifted materials ranging from 5 to 25 tons. Lyons Turning Mill could produce spheres up to 6 feet in diameter. It also created cylinders up to 3 feet in diameter and 22 feet long.
Eighty workers were employed here in various trades. They labored until 1907. For unknown reasons, the Lyons Turning Mill closed. Despite its relatively short lifespan, the mill left a significant mark.
Now, only the walls remain. But they whisper tales of ingenuity and hard work. In 1980, the Lyons Turning Mill was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This designation recognized its importance.
Today, there are plans for a new chapter. The Lyons Turning Mill is the proposed home of the Quincy Quarry and Granite Workers Museum. The museum plans to display photos of the mill from 1894. Also on display will be stone cutting tools of that era.
Visitors will learn about stone splitting and cutting. The museum aims to recreate a typical stone shed operation. A blacksmith shop will also be part of the museum. The Quincy Quarry Railroad ran through the mill.
The Quincy Community Preservation Committee and Quincy Quarry and Granite Workers Museum are funding the work. Folan Waterproofing and Construction Co. is doing the work. This will preserve the site for future generations.
The Swingle’s Bridge plaque is another artifact. It was donated in memory of Bernard Sweeney and William Yuscavitch. The plaque is from a bridge that spanned a portion of Swingle’s Quarry.
As we stand here, envision the past. Hear the sounds of the lathes and the shouts of the workers. The Lyons Turning Mill shaped granite and Quincy’s history.