Images of the Jasper Stone Quarry today and from the late 19th century Courtesy of Lorraine Draper and the National Register Collection

The five Rae brothers, who immigrated from Scotland in 1886, were the primary organizers and promoters of the first stone quarry in Jasper. In 1888 shortly after the town was founded, Swedish immigrant stonecutters began arriving to work in the quarries. These skilled artisans produced building and paving blocks, using hand tools in an age-old stonecutting art that required both knowledge and physical skills. In its early days, the quarry furnished immense quantities of building blocks that were shipped to cities by rail. The stone was greatly sought after because of its hardness, elegance and permanent color.

Jasper Stone Quarry, the only active quarry in the area Courtesy of Lorraine Draper

C. F. Lytle, founder of the Jasper Stone Company, purchased the Jasper quarries in 1916. He was the first of three generations to own the company. He was followed by his son F. K. Lytle and his grandson C. F. (Bud) Lytle, who still operates the quarry. Of the four quarries once located in the area, Jasper Stone Company and Quarry is the only one still operating. Today stone blocks and pebbles are produced for lining industrial mills for use in grinding many elements. The stone is also cut and polished for use as cemetery monuments. The processing of stone has changed drastically from the labor intensive hand cutting method of the past to a one quarter long wire cutting system. A small number of workers are currently employed at the quarry, which occupies about 100 acres of land.

The Jasper Stone Company and Quarry is located in the south part of Jasper, just over the county border in Rock County. It is still an active quarry--visit www.jasperstoneco.com. The quarry site is not open to visitors, but a video describing the entire mining process is available for viewing at the Jasper Area Historical Museum, 102 E. Wall St., Jasper. Call 507-348-9841 for further information.