Fairgrounds in Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Grindstones
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 27, 2025
1. Grindstones Marker
Inscription.
Grindstones. . Production of grindstones was big business in Ohio during the 1800s and early 1900s, when they were shipped all over the world. The large grindstone here was cut from Permian-age sandstone in the vicinity of Marietta, Washington County. The best sandstone used for grindstones contained similarly sized, angular quartz grains, which produced a good abrasion surface and resisted becoming dull. This grindstone probably was used for sharpening steel tools, such as axe and knife blades. The stone would have been mounted on a horizontal axle and spun so that the smooth edge of the grindstone could sharpen the tool.
Production of grindstones was big business in Ohio during the 1800s and early 1900s, when they were shipped all over the world. The large grindstone here was cut from Permian-age sandstone in the vicinity of Marietta, Washington County. The best sandstone used for grindstones contained similarly sized, angular quartz grains, which produced a good abrasion surface and resisted becoming dull. This grindstone probably was used for sharpening steel tools, such as axe and knife blades. The stone would have been mounted on a horizontal axle and spun so that the smooth edge of the grindstone could sharpen the tool.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.
Location. 39° 59.708′ N, 82° 59.34′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is in Fairgrounds. It is at the intersection of East 11th Avenue and Essex Avenue, on the right when traveling north on East 11th Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 632 E 11th Ave, Columbus OH 43211, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this
Click or scan to see this page online
marker is in Ohio’s Scioto Valley. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 73 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 6, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
