North Creek in Warren County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Barton Mines

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, March 13, 2011

1. Barton Mines Marker

Inscription. In 1878, Henry Hudson Barton's search for a better abrasive brought him to Gore Mountain, where he discovered a unique hard rock source of garnet. Barton's find turned out to be the world's highest quality industrial garnet and it has dominated the industry for more than 100 years.
Garnet is a metamorphic rock formed under intense pressure and heat. Imperfect crystals fracture with sharp cutting edges that are nearly as hard as a diamond, making them ideal abrasives. Perfect garnet crystals are cut as gemstones.
Today, Barton Mines owns and operates mining and milling operations on nearby Ruby Mountain and on the coast of Western Australia. The North Creek facility is the world's oldest continuously operating garnet mine, producing material for cutting, specialty lapping and grinding, sandblasting and abrasive coatings. It also yields granite blocks that are sold to manufacturers of countertops and tiles. The building that is now used as the ticket office for the Upper Hudson River Railroad was once used to store garnet awaiting shipment on the Adirondack Railroad and later, the D&H Railroad.
In this exhibit there is one very large bolder from the original Gore Mountain mine and one smaller boulder from Ruby Mountain. In 2004, Barton's Ruby Mountain quarry was the source of the corner stone for the Freedom tower in New

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York City. Source: Barton Mines Company, LLC Sign made possible by a grant from Barton Mines Company, LLC

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1878.

Location. 43° 42.169′ N, 73° 59.331′ W. Marker is in North Creek, New York, in Warren County. Marker can be reached from Railroad Place. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: North Creek NY 12853, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Adirondack Railway Company (here, next to this marker); North Creek Depot (a few steps from this marker); Engine House (a few steps from this marker); Theodore Roosevelt (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Theodore Roosevelt (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to North Creek (a few steps from this marker); North Creek Railway Station (a few steps from this marker); North Creek Turntable (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in North Creek.

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, March 13, 2011

2. Barton Mines Marker

The Upper Hudson River Railroad Railroad platform at the North Creek Station is under a deep blanket of snow, but the marker can be seen attached to the railing on the right, between the two black metal ski lift chairs.

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, March 13, 2011

3. Barton Mines Marker

View from the North Creek station looking south.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, August 27, 2019

4. Barton Mines Marker

North Creek depot in background. The large stones to the left of the marker appear to have garnet deposits.

Garnet in Stones image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, August 27, 2019

5. Garnet in Stones

Two large stones placed by the marker appear to have garnet deposits.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 2, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 996 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 2, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 4, 5. submitted on August 30, 2019, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.