Granite Mountain (1968)

This 866-foot dome of solid pink granite, covering 180 acres, contains the largest quarry of its kind in the United States. This mountain, like all granite formations, was once melted rock similar to lava. As the molten rock cooled thousands of feet below the earth's surface, it hardened into large crystals of quartz, feldspar and several dark-colored minerals. Wherever strength, durability and beauty of finish are required, granite is a favored building stone. The mountain was part of a grant made to Texas colonist William Slaughter. The site became famous commercially when a dispute arose in the 1880s over the type of stone to be used in the Capitol in Austin. The issue was settled in 1885 when Governor John Ireland resisted demands to use non-native limestone. Following this decision, a special track was built to haul the granite to the rail line in Burnet. The stone was generously donated to the state by quarry owners G. W. Lacy, N. L. Norton, and W. H. Westfall. Today granite from the quarry here is shipped to all parts of Texas, the U.S. and foreign countries for use in monuments, shafts, jetties, and buildings. It has been used in the Galveston sea wall and in new state office buildings near the Capitol in Austin.

Granite Mountain is a historical marker in Marble Falls, Burnet County, dedicated in 1968. It is one of 61 historical markers documented in Burnet County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 121 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.5926, -98.2991 near Marble Falls. The nearest cataloged historic site is Marble Falls City Cemetery (cemetery), about 1.5 miles away. Others within a short drive include Slaughter Cemetery, Christian-Matern House, and 1910 Post Office Building.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5053009717. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.