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Photos: Quarry and steam shovel in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

In Le Roy this afternoon, I took a turn down Gulf Road looking for the a steam shovel a reader told me about recently (see below) and I found this view of an old quarry.  

bud prevost

Thanks for the pics Howard. The quarry picture couldn't have been timed better. As a youngster, we used to jump off those cliffs into the quarry. One of my favorite memories was watching my buddy Haz swan dive off of them. Then, I looked at the calendar, and realized my friend passed away 5 years ago today. That photo brought on a boatload of good memories. Thanks again Howard, and miss you fatboy :(

Jun 17, 2011, 5:50am Permalink
Mardell Lamb

Awesome memories of the quarry. Remember many nights we'd gather there after having fun at LeRoy Bar & Grill. I never jumped into the water, but alot of the crazy ones did! Clothes and all. I look back now and think, "OMG, I'm so glad MY kids didn't do wild stuff like that!" Sigh...back in the day. (1980.)

Jun 17, 2011, 5:22pm Permalink
bud prevost

Used to depend on the spring, and all the snow melt. To be honest, I've never seen it this high this late in the spring. The floor of the quarry is usually half dry, but we had a real wet April and May, so its real high right now. My guess was we jumped 75 or 80 feet down, and always the same spot, cause we knew that was the deepest and clearest point. Sigh...misspent youth, how I miss that.

Jun 17, 2011, 8:04pm Permalink
Lorie Longhany

The engine, called 'The Dinky' now has a home at the transportation museum in Rush. I know quite a few LeRoyans who lobbied for park designation for that area, but it wasn't to be.

The engine was first used to dig out the Panama Canal before being put to work in the quarry. My husband's grandfather operated the Dinky back in the first part of the last century. Most Lime Rocker's -- first and second generation immigrants -- hailed from Asiago, Italy and settled here because they were experienced rock cutters.

Been told that in order to secure a quarry job, applicants were told to register Republican. Interesting history.

Jun 17, 2011, 9:36pm Permalink

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