The Story of Rockport Quarry and Stone Plant from Bedrock to Industry

Organizer: Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Michigan History Center

Date and Time: Wednesday, March 25, 2026 · 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET

Location:
Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center
Alpena, Michigan
United States

Format and Highlights:
• Duration: 1.0 hour
• Format: In person

About This Event:
Historian Don La Barre examines the early to mid-20th century history of Rockport Quarry and Stone Plant, focusing on its growth, technical development, and role as a key industrial enterprise along the Lake Huron coast.

The presentation will explore how the quarry operated during its most active decades, including methods used to extract and process stone, the machinery and technology that powered production, and innovations that improved efficiency and output. La Barre will also highlight how the plant adapted to changing industrial demands and economic conditions, offering insight into mining practices, national trends, and operational milestones.

Today, Rockport is a 4,237-acre public recreation area managed by Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources, stretching along the Lake Huron and Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary coast. It offers hiking trails, sinkholes, mountain biking, a boat launch, and is a designated dark sky preserve.

What to Expect:
• A detailed look at the quarry’s extraction methods, machinery, and technical innovations
• Historical context on how the plant adapted to shifting industrial and economic conditions
• Insight into Rockport’s transformation from active quarry to public recreation area and dark sky preserve

Panel Presenters / Speakers:
• Don La Barre — Historian, Michigan History Center and Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Contact or Registration: https://thunderbayfriends.org/index.php/event/the-story-of-rockport-quarry-stone-plant-from-bedrock-to-industry/

Free admission. No registration required.