Belgium in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Fire! Fire! Fire!
Photographed By Devon Polzar, 2018
1. Fire! Fire! Fire! Marker
Many years ago, when Quarry Lake was a dry rock quarry, the above call alerted the workmen that explosives were about to be detonated. The Lake Shore Stone Company used explosives to break up the rock which they mined from 1900 to 1920. The limestone was quarried, crushed into three different sizes, then shipped to one of their three distribution yards in Milwaukee, Muskegon, or South Haven. The pictures and narratives on these panels sketch the history of this industry.
Before the stone was quarried, the topsoil had to be removed, and a donkey engine and cars were used to haul the soil or overburden. This overburden was transported to a point about 500' southeast of the quarry. To mine this rock, holes 6" wide and around 30' deep were drilled into the stone, filled with gun-powder, and detonated. This initial blast cracked the limestone. Dynamite was then put into the cracks and exploded, blasting tons of stone down into the quarry. Not all of the stone, however, landed in the quarry as planned; some dropped on nearby houses!!
As many as 150 people, mostly Luxembourgers and Italians worked in and at the quarry. Many families lived
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.
Location. 43° 29.616′ N, 87° 47.619′ W. Marker is in Belgium, Wisconsin, in Ozaukee County. The marker is located within Harrington Beach State Park along the Stonehaven Historical Trail which starts just south of the Ansay Welcome Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 531 County Rd D, Belgium WI 53004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. About the Quarry and the Limestone (here, next to this marker); Destination and Uses of the Limestone (here, next to this marker); The Company Store (a few steps from this marker); Stonehaven Housing (within shouting distance of this marker); The Krier House (within shouting distance of this marker); Stone Crusher (within shouting distance of this marker); A Reminder of Days Past (within shouting distance of this marker); From Booming Business to Quiet Park (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Belgium.
Photographed By Devon Polzar, 2018
2. Fire! Fire! Fire! Marker
Photographed By Devon Polzar, 2018
3. Stonehaven Historical Trail Marker
Photographed By Devon Polzar, 2018
4. Fire! Fire! Fire! Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2018, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 165 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 14, 2018, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
