Haven Township near St. Cloud in Sherburne County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

First Granite Quarry

Photographed by Liz Koele, November 18, 2021

1. First Granite Quarry Marker

Inscription.

In the spring of 1868 Breen & Young opened the first commercial granite quarry in Minn. on the site of the present State Reformatory just west of this point. From this beginning the industry has developed into a business involving millions of dollars.

Erected 1930 by North Star Granite Corporation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.

Location. 45° 32.433′ N, 94° 6.45′ W. Marker is near St. Cloud, Minnesota, in Sherburne County. It is in Haven Township. It can be reached from Voyageur Boulevard (U.S. 10) north of 32nd Street East, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located in the parking area for the Sand Prairie Wildlife Management Area. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1805 U.S Highway 10, Saint Cloud MN 56304, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: These Walls Do Talk (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Wayside / Maintaining Our Natural Heritage (within shouting distance of this marker); Prairie Savanna (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The First Granite Quarry (approx. ¾ mile away);

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The Red River Trail (approx. 0.8 miles away); Fort Holes (approx. 2.3 miles away); Petters Building (approx. 2.8 miles away); B.P.O.E. Building (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Cloud.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Marker about this marker

Photographed by Liz Koele, November 18, 2021

2. First Granite Quarry Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2022, by Liz Koele of St. Paul, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 1,091 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 3, 2022, by Liz Koele of St. Paul, Minnesota. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.