Near Sandstone in Pine County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Power
Discover the Banning Quarry
Photographed By McGhiever, August 3, 2022
1. Power Marker
This building housed steam generators, an air compressor, electric generator and other equipment.
In the early days of the quarry, work was done by hand. Later use of power tools greatly increased efficiency. The drills, crusher, elevator and sawmill were powered by compressed air. Electricity powered the hoists for the derrick cranes.
Most quarrying equipment at the time could use either steam or compressed air. Air was considered superior because it was safer and could be sent far from the compressor without losing power as it cooled.
Captions:
Notice the long air hose for the drill.
Remote boilers supplemented the power house.
Coal heated water tubes, vaporizing the water into steam.
Air lines from the power house extended hundreds of feet from the compressor.
The building had to be very large to hold the massive equipment.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.
Location. 46° 9.59′ N, 92° 50.807′ W. Marker is near Sandstone, Minnesota, in Pine County. The marker is in Banning State Park (vehicle permit required). The marker is on the Quarry Loop Trail just north of the Power House ruins. Touch for map. Marker is at or
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Crushing Stone (within shouting distance of this marker); A Railroad Industry (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sawing Slabs (approx. 0.2 miles away); Forming Blocks (approx. ¼ mile away); Sandstone Area Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.2 miles away); Lumbering in Minnesota (approx. 3.6 miles away); The Hinckley Fire (approx. 10.6 miles away); The Great Hinckley Fire (approx. 10.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sandstone.
Photographed By McGhiever, August 3, 2022
2. Power Marker in front of the Power House ruins in Banning State Park
Photographed By McGhiever, May 16, 2006
3. Interior of the Power House ruins
Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2022, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 49 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 27, 2022, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
