Quincy in Norfolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

The Granite Railway

Photographed By Sepp Bergschneider, November 12, 2011

1. The Granite Railway Marker

Inscription. National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
The Granite Railway
Designated by the American Society of Civil Engineers 1976
This marker commemorates the 150th anniversary of the ground breaking for the first commercial railroad in the United States
Dedicated by the City of Quincy
April 1, 1976

Erected 1976.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Landmarks • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the ASCE Civil Engineering Landmarks series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1862.

Location. 42° 14.772′ N, 71° 2.154′ W. Marker is in Quincy, Massachusetts, in Norfolk County. Marker is on Granite Rail Court, on the right when traveling east. Landmark is at the end of Mullin Avenue and right against the south travel lane of the Southeast Expressway (Rte. 93). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Quincy MA 02169, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Granite Railway Incline (a few steps from this marker); Old House (approx. 1.4 miles away); William Hutchinson's Grant (approx. 1½ miles away); John Adams (approx. 1.6 miles away); John Hancock Birth Site

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(approx. 1.6 miles away); a different marker also named John Hancock Birth Site (approx. 1.6 miles away); Adams Academy (approx. 1.6 miles away); William Reynolds Dimmock LL.D. (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Quincy.

Regarding The Granite Railway. This gateway marks the foot of the old incline, a part of the granite railway.
The idea of the railroad was conceived and carried out by Gridley Bryant, in the face of great opposition but supported by, Thomas Handasyd Perkins, to transport the stone for the Bunker Hill Monument from the quarry to the tidewater in the Neponset River, a distance of two and three quarters miles.
Work was begun April1, 1826 and the completed railroad was opened October 7, 1826.

Photographed By Sepp Bergschneider, November 12, 2011

2. The Granite Railway Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2011, by Sepp Bergschneider of Canton, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 795 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 13, 2011, by Sepp Bergschneider of Canton, Massachusetts. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.