Not many people realize North Carolina is home to the world’s largest open-faced rock quarry. Or that before Mt. Airy became famous as the inspiration for the iconic town of Mayberry from TV’s “The Andy Griffith Show,” the local rock quarry had long since already put the tiny North Carolina town on the world map.
The snow white granite from the North Carolina Granite Corp in Mt. Airy has been used in numerous famous buildings over the last 150 years.
Gus Blanco/Google The U.S. Gold Depository adjacent to Fort Knox is a prime example. It may be gold on the inside, but the outside is snow white and constructed of granite from right here at the world’s largest open-faced quarry.
The quarry is so big, astronauts have reported seeing it from outer space.
North Carolina Granite Corp/Facebook It measures more than a mile long and is at least a half mile wide. The corporation that owns the quarry predicts there is enough granite here to supply the world for thousands of years.
Another secret only the locals know about?
Gus Blanco/Google maps There is a hidden observation deck on the edge of the quarry where, anytime the quarry is open (weekdays and weekends), you can go observe the mining. The blasts are especially fun to see!
A visit to the observation deck is your own self-guided tour of this massive quarry.
Gus Blanco/Google From here, you’ll have a front row seat to watch all of the action, including several blasts per day! While waiting for the next big explosion, you can view the various precision cuts that make those perfectly straight stones used in building.Want a little taste of one of the explosions? Watch the short video below of a crusher shot captured at the quarry in 2005. (Video is from the Facebook page of North Carolina Granite Corp):Imagine seeing that in person!
Since this is a fully operational quarry, and the mine must follow the rules of the U.S. Bureau of Mines, the general public is not permitted inside the mine for safety reasons.
North Carolina Granite Corp/Facebook But the observation deck is perfectly poised to give you a first-hand experience and plenty of action as the big equipment maneuvers the large cut stone and crusher rocks around the quarry. From your perch on the observation deck located on a bluff overlooking the quarry, you’ll be able to see much of the mine and the many explosions that take place each day.
It’s free to visit the observation deck at North Carolina Granite Corp! It’s accessible by car (with parking at the deck) and is open any day that the quarry is in operation (even on weekends!) during daylight hours. Learn more on the official website. Did you know about this awesome self-tour or that North Carolina is home to the largest open-faced quarry in the world? Join the discussion in the comments!
Gus Blanco/Google
The U.S. Gold Depository adjacent to Fort Knox is a prime example. It may be gold on the inside, but the outside is snow white and constructed of granite from right here at the world’s largest open-faced quarry.
North Carolina Granite Corp/Facebook
It measures more than a mile long and is at least a half mile wide. The corporation that owns the quarry predicts there is enough granite here to supply the world for thousands of years.
Gus Blanco/Google maps
There is a hidden observation deck on the edge of the quarry where, anytime the quarry is open (weekdays and weekends), you can go observe the mining. The blasts are especially fun to see!
From here, you’ll have a front row seat to watch all of the action, including several blasts per day! While waiting for the next big explosion, you can view the various precision cuts that make those perfectly straight stones used in building.Want a little taste of one of the explosions? Watch the short video below of a crusher shot captured at the quarry in 2005. (Video is from the Facebook page of North Carolina Granite Corp):Imagine seeing that in person!
But the observation deck is perfectly poised to give you a first-hand experience and plenty of action as the big equipment maneuvers the large cut stone and crusher rocks around the quarry. From your perch on the observation deck located on a bluff overlooking the quarry, you’ll be able to see much of the mine and the many explosions that take place each day.
Address: 151 Granite Quarry Trail, Mt Airy, NC, 27030
The above quarry isn’t the only “world’s largest” on the record books in North Carolina. We’re also home to the world’s largest zoo. Learn more here!
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