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The Bible and Science:
Black Granite Quarry
Early picture of the black granite quarry at St. Peters, PA
French Creek Granite Quarries in 1906.
David Knauer in 1880 started the French Creek Granite Company. Rocks hauled by wagon were first used for curbing in Philadelphia streets. What was seemingly worthless farm land filled with big boulders was transformed into a profitable stone business.
David Knauer was able to connect to the Delaware River and Lancaster railroad by a spur run from Kimberton. It was nicknamed the Sowbelly Railroad and operated from 1890 to 1894.
There are only three know places on earth where quality black granite could be found. Sweden, California, and St. Peters, PA. The black granite which is really diabase, was used in making industrial surface plates.
The black granite was beautifully polished and used for the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial Library in Hyde Park, NY. The Whitney Museum made a long table to please Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis for the museum. The steps of the PA governor's mansion in Harrisburg also use black granite.
In 2002 the old quarry in St. Peters, PA was donated to the Institute for Biblical and Scientific Studies by the PA Granite Company which is now under Rock of Ages.
More information about St. Peters Village, news, history, and tourist guide.
For more detailed historical information see: Treasures of the Upper French Creek Valley by Estelle Cremers, 1982.
Pictures are used by permission of the Warwick Historical Society.