WISCONSIN- TAKE IT FOR GRANITE

VIETNAM WAR MEMORIAL, MILWAUKEE

Made from Wisconsin Granite

In 1898 Ernest R. Buckley published a 544 page volume for the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, titled "On the Building and Ornamental Stones of Wisconsin". It documents a fledgling but important industry of Wisconsin.... building stones. The report includes discussions of the Lake Superior Sandstones and a number of the paleozoic limestones. However, the most extensive part of the report relates to the many granites that were quarried in the state. Some of these are still being produced, but in limited amounts. The materials for this web page are taken mostly from Buckley's report. It is a class project for a freshman seminar course titled "Wisconsin's Geologic and Mineral Heritage". We hope you enjoy this aspect of Wisconsin's Mineral Heritage.

Each of the following links on the State map will take you to a different grante type and location.

Montello

Amberg

Waupaca

Waushara

Wausau

Berlin and Utley

The Granite Ages

Wisconsin's Granite terrains were produced primarily in three ages representing different tectonic activities. The far north granites that come from the Wisconsin-Michigan border were the result of subduction tectonics around 1850 Million Years ago. A second phase of granites were introduced around 1760 Million years ago. These are centered in the Fox River Valley area, and result from anorogenic activity, perhaps as a final phase of the tectonic events that started in 1850 Ma. The last granites to intrude the state are those associated with the Wolf River Batholith which is dated about 1450 Ma. Each of these granites are distinct. More information about the geology of the Lake Superior region can be found in a book by the same name authord By Dr Gene Le Berge(1996)