The Millstone Quarries of Powell County, Kentucky

Download or read book The Millstone Quarries of Powell County, Kentucky written by Charles D. Hockensmith and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2009-06-08 with total page 217 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the early nineteenth century, mills were ubiquitous, making possible dozens of indispensable items--from the bread served at every meal to the boards used to construct houses and other buildings. Because millstones went through so much daily wear and tear, only certain types of rock formations were suitable for millstone quarries, though they were often difficult to locate and access. This book provides an archaeological and historical study of six millstone quarries in Powell County, Kentucky. While the best-known conglomerate millstone quarries were in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, Powell County was an important millstone producer for Kentucky, and the quarries there are well-preserved and documented. It features dozens of photographs and tables, two maps, and seven appendices.