Elberton is the granite capital of the World. 30% of all of the granite in the USA comes the one vein around Elberton. There are 45 quarries operating within a 20 mile radius and over 150 manufacturing plants. Granite in this are is almost entirely grey. Other colours of granite come from different areas of the country or from other countries such as Brazil. Knowledgeable people recognize where it comes from just by the colour. Over 40% of the residents derive their income from this one industry. The granite is mined in open pits up to 150 feet deep. Most are used for cemetery monuments. They are shipped out as blanks or there are a number of plants using various processed to finish the monuments with beautiful and unique artistry.
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| Almost every building in the town has a at least a front of granite |
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| This 50 foot Spire made of one piece is one of the worlds tallest pieces of granite. It was originally quarried and produced for the Argo trucking company but was later donated to the museum when the company was sold |
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| A typical granite mine |
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Dutchy
This monument was first built by the Confederate Memorial Association after the civil war. It is credited as being what started the monument business in Elberton. Because the local people didn't think he looked like a confederate soldier, he was pulled down with a rope and buried in 1900 right in front of the monument. 82 years later he was dug up and washed of and put in the museum. He now is the main attractions in the museum. The industry points out that even after 82 years underground and only a cleaning at a car was the granite looks like the day it was carved
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