1920s Grindstone City MI Quarry Current Ghost Town

Updated October 16, 2026

This auction ended on October 20, 2026. See upcoming auctions from Byward Collectibles.
Lot number15
AuctionByward Collectibles & Vintage Paper - October Selections
DateOctober 20, 2026 at 8:00 PM EDT
Auction houseByward Collectibles
LocationOttawa

Dimensions: Standard 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" (approximately) Condition Report: Good pre-owned condition. Wear commensurate with age and use. Please review images carefully, as they form part of the description. Publisher: The L. L. Cook Co., Milwaukee Type: Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) Postally Used: No Subject: Grindstone City Marshall Sandstone Quarry / Quarrymen / Draft Horse Theme: Ghost Town / Industrial History / Occupational / Michigan Finish: Silver Gelatin Location: Grindstone City, Huron County, Michigan Marks: Negative captioned "QUARRY & WORKS / GRINDSTONE CITY, MICH" and numbered 115; reverse marked "All rights reserved - The L. L. Cook Co., Milwaukee" Date: Circa 1920s; Grindstone City's commercial grindstone industry ceased circa 1929-1930 Features: Detailed silver gelatin real photo postcard documenting the famous Marshall Sandstone quarry industry at Grindstone City, now recognized as one of Michigan's historic ghost towns. The active quarry scene shows numerous quarrymen working among cut stone and rubble, a draft horse with stone-haulage equipment, and industrial works and machinery in the background. Grindstone City's distinctive Marshall Sandstone was prized for its abrasive qualities and used to manufacture internationally marketed grindstones, scythestones and whetstones. The Cleveland Stone Company acquired the Grindstone City quarry properties in 1888 and became the sole proprietor of the local industry, later resuming production in 1923. Competition from manufactured abrasives, particularly carborundum, brought the industry to an end around 1929-1930. The former industrial community and quarry landscape are preserved within the Grindstone City Historic District. Search Tags: Grindstone City, Michigan, MI, Huron County, Michigan Thumb, ghost town, Michigan ghost town, boomtown, Marshall Sandstone, Marshall sandstone quarry, Cleveland Stone Company, Cleveland Stone Co, quarry, sandstone quarry, stone quarry, quarrymen, stonecutters, workers, occupational, industrial, grindstone, grindstones, scythestone, scythestones, whetstone, whetstones, sharpening stone, draft horse, horse, horse drawn, stone haulage, quarry works, L L Cook, historic district, real photo, real photo postcard, RPPC, silver gelatin, photographic, postcard, post card Buyer's Premium: 20% PayPal invoice sent once shipping costs are calculated No handling fees In-House Shipping: Shipping costs are determined by destination and paid by the winning bidder Shipping estimates provided upon request USA: USPS via Canada Post / Tariffs included / No brokerage fees Canada: Canada Post

1920s Grindstone City MI Quarry Current Ghost Town

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