1

The first discovery of Wallace sandstone took place along the Wallace River. The original owner, William Mackenzie sold his land to Isaac and Benjamin Smith in 1810. Smith then sold it to Richard Scott on May 2 1810. Scott was contracted by Governor Wentworth to supply stone for the new Provincial Legislature.The foundation was laid August 12, 1811. Shipment began. After several delays, the new Legislature building took eight years to complete.

2

Wallace River, viewing south, up stream
15 August 2003
Wallace River, Nova Scotia, Canada
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3

The beauty of the Wallace River. Little sign of the brickyard and sandstone quarries of the past.

4

Wallace River, site of first quarries in 1811.
15 August 2003
Wallace River, Nova Scotia, Canada

5

Layers sandstone deposit
7 May 2004
Wallace, Nova Scotia, Canada

6

Millions of years ago sediment from a great river became layered on the river bottom, forming the material for the Wallace sandstone quarries.

7

View of the over burden on the Wallace sandstone deposit
May, 2000
Wallace River, Nova Scotia, Canada
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8

Drill holes direct blast
1990
Wallace, Nova Scotia, Canada

9

Wallace Freestone. "Freestone" is a term for a stone that can be worked in any direction. Most sedimentary rock is laid down in layers. For most carving or dressing the stone its important to work with the grain. Wallace sandstone, though a very hard stone, can be cut in any direction.

10

Historic Swing Railway Bridge over the Wallace River
15 August 2003
Wallace River, Nova Scotia, Canada
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11

The famous "Swing Bridge" on the now abandoned "Shortline" between Pictou and Oxford, Nova Scotia. The bridge is next to several quarries, the Scott, Battye and Dewar quarries to name a few. The bridge was made from local sandstone in 1892.
Before the railroad stone was shipped by boat from this site.
If you look carefully under the right end of the bridge in this 1907 post card you will see a quarry derrick.

12

Railway Bridge over the Wallace River
1907
Wallace River, Nova Scotia, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


13

Boot scraper made at the Battye Quarry
1900
Wallace River, Nova Scotia, Canada

14

The Battye Quarry gave these boot scrapers away as advertising.
In 1860 Thomas Battye became owners of the Wallace River quarry employing 100 men. He had two ships to carry away the stone, "Freestone" and "Mary Anne"