The pinkish-gray stone that built the Brooklyn Bridge and beyond

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Vinalhaven's granite didn't just build local docks; it shaped the skyline of the American metropolis. From the Washington Monument to the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, this remote Maine island provided the literal foundation for some of the nation’s most iconic landmarks.

In 1826, high-quality granite was discovered on Vinalhaven, transforming the remote fishing and farming community into one of Maine's primary quarrying centers. For nearly a century, the Bodwell Granite Company excavated this distinctive pinkish-gray stone, shipping it across the country to cities like New York, Chicago, St. Louis, and Philadelphia. It served as paving blocks for streets in Portland and Boston, and formed the basis for customs houses and post offices nationwide.

The island's geological uniqueness provided a specific engineering solution for some of history's most ambitious projects. Vinalhaven was the only location with quarries deep enough to provide the eight massive polished columns required for the apse of New York City's Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. However, the stone was so heavy that it broke under its own weight during construction, forcing architects to assemble each column from multiple pieces of granite.

Beyond religious architecture, Vinalhaven stone is embedded in American infrastructure. It appears in the State Department Building in Washington and the Union Mutual Life Insurance Building in Boston. In Philadelphia, it was used for the Pennsylvania Railroad Station and the Masonic Temple. Even the original Penn Station featured 22 eagle statues made from Vinalhaven granite, one of which remains in the center of town today.

While the quarrying era has passed—leaving behind abandoned pits that now serve as local swimming holes—the island's industrial legacy persists. Known for its robust lobster industry, Vinalhaven is currently moving towards greener practices after becoming a pioneer for major wind energy on the U.S. East Coast starting in 2009.

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