Please note that this quarry is privately owned and not open to the public. Not only can you be prosecuted if you are caught trespassing, but the quarry is dangerous. Rocks hide below the surface of the water, and if you fell – or jumped – you could be badly hurt.
Though images of the Kincaid-Anderson Quarry, located in Winnsboro, present a peaceful scene, this was once the site of Fairfield County‘s busiest industry. The blue granite mine, which closed in 1986, exported stone to cities all along the East Coast. Blue granite was named South Carolina’s State Stone in 1969.
Pelham Lyles, Director of the Fairfield County Historical Museum, has graciously shared some of her photographs with us and also extends this important warning about visiting: “Young people have been prosecuted for jumping on this private property. One young man hit his head on a projection and there are granite ledges under the black water that are not visible. Also, there are fresh water jellyfish in the quarry.”
A crane, once used to lift large pieces of granite from the mine, now rests idly against the surface of the stone. The trees have grown over its base, and the rusty surface causes it to blend into its natural surroundings.
Ground was broken on the Kincaid-Anderson home 1775, but the house was not completed until much later. The Anderson family – direct descendants of the Kincaids – occupied the home until around 1900. As noted in the National Register, “The house was built on land granted by King George III which contained the famous ten-acre rock that later became the Anderson quarry.” The quarry’s walls are reflected on the surface of the water. Trees now grow from the pool which formed once the mine ceased operating.
This enormous pulley, roughly the size of a Frisbee in circumference, is mounted near the highest point in the mine. Its still holds the steel cable once used to hoist massive stones from the rock bed beneath. The edge of the rock disappears into a pool of water, which has collected in the years since the quarry’s closing.
Historic Pictures of Kincaid-Anderson Quarry
More Pictures of Kincaid-Anderson Quarry
Reflections on Kincaid-Anderson Quarry
Photographer Ryan Graczyk, who shared the below photos, says, “This is the side of the Kincaid-Anderson Quarry that people generally swim in. On the right, you can see two landings at different levels. People often jump off of these landings, which appear to be somewhere between 40 to 80 feet off of the surface of the water. Notice the graffiti covering the walls as well as the trees, grass, and bushes that have begun growing on the rock walls.”
Kincaid-Anderson Quarry Info
Address: Anderson Quarry Road, Jenkinsville, SC 29065
GPS Coordinates: 34.326580,-81.235519
Kincaid-Anderson Quarry Map
Take Me There
Hi, I’m writing a book with some major chapters that take place at a blue granite quarry in South Carolina. I was hoping that I could either get a tour of the quarry or speak to someone who could describe it in detail.
Hi Matt, I would be very interested in learning more about this quarry and how to gain access. I have no interest in jumping off. Thank you.
I am from the Kincaid family that moved to Gainesville. Fl. and farmed 2000 acres, I visited the home while stationed at Ft. Jackson and met Mrs Heyward who lived there and later returned with my wife and mother to visit her. She allowed us to come in the house and gave us pictures of the interior. The nearby church that was built near the same time of the two story brick house was well maintained and provided the burial site of many Kincaids in the church yard.There is an amazing amount of history of the Kincaids there to be seen today. To contact me call 407-647-6178 or write to P.O.Box 80, Winter Park, FL. 32790
The quarry closed in 1986 not 1946. Carol Haskins, Buddy Sellers and Mrs. Minner were the last three employee.
Thank you for this information!
Becki, I would be interested in scanning a copy of the photo of your g grandfather. I would share it with the railroad museum also, as this is documentation of our local history. If you are interested, and can come during weekday hours, we can help you look up information on your family members who lived here.
The properties in and around the quarries are privately owned and controlled for trespassing at one of the old quarries. As to Matt’s statements, if he had a swimming pool in his back yard, and just had a sign “swim at your own risk”, what do you think would happen to him if a child drowned? And yes, there are ledges under the water along the sides. I heard of someone who hit his head on the way down for a dive off the top. He survived to tell the story. The owner of one quarry is an elderly person who is afraid she will be sued if someone gets hurt on her property—most people can understand that.
And yes, I have seen the jelly fish myself when on a private tour. From what I read about them, they are only apparent at certain times of the year. I don’t profess to be a zoologist, but there are scientific websites on “freshwater jellyfish”. There is a lot of interest in seeing the quarries, but, as I mention, the landowners do not have the means or interest in turning the dangerous sites into tourism sites. I personally hope that eventually someone will come up with the funds to buy and invest in making it open to the public and managed by staff. Please, someone find a Rockefeller to come to our area to do this!!!
As for the blocks of granite lying around…they belong to the landowners. Contact the SC Railroad Museum for information on their gift shop. They used to sell small blocks of granite that they had purchased for this purpose.
My great grandfather worked here and I do have one image of him working. Wouldn’t mind sharing it if there were a way to post.
Are there any old photographs of the men who worked here? My father and some of his brothers learned there trade here.
There are many ‘trash’ blocks of this stone that are already quarried, lying around in the woods. There is nothing wrong with them, they were discarded by the monument company because of size. Long story, but they can probably be bought.
I am searching for an active blue granite quarry in SC for the purpose of purchasing flat slabs for facing a portion of a new building in the Charleston area. All I’m coming up with is crushed stone. Other types of native stone would be sought after as well. Any info you could offer would be most appreciated. Thanks,
MAC
If anyone can help Mac, please let us know!
Try Dale and Wanda Willis in Elberton, Georgia. I have purchased blue granite from them. If you have a problem locating them email me and I’ll dig out the invoice.
The photographer for these photos works with the Fairfield County Museum. We suggest contacting the museum for information regarding the owners and a possible tour. Good luck!
Hi, does anyone have a listing of customers and the year? Researching old railroad trestles in Union County, pretty sure they came from this quarry.
Thanks, Robert Grady
Where can I buy some of this rock, I would like to make some jewelry pieces out of it.