Tenino Sandstone Quarries

Tenino stone cutter shop circa 1910. Apprentice stone carvers are at work practicing cubes in the back right. 

 

Ralph Munro says, “Lots of places are known for timber or fish or some other product. Tenino is known for sandstone.”

Keith Phillips, stonecutter and carver, talks about Tenino sandstone: “Tenino has a long history of stone cutting. It started with all the Europeans that came to this area and discovered the outcropping of stone and established three quarries starting in 1889.

“It was a large stone stoning industrial site in 1912 that cut architectural stone. Tenino sandstone from this quarry and the other quarries in Tenino can be found in Seattle and Olympia and Tacoma and Portland, Walla Walla and Spokane and San Francisco and Montana, and other places.

“The Tenino sandstone’s blessings have risen and fallen over the years with economic times and building standards. Sandstone and structural stone was becoming a thing of the past in the 20s. Tenino operated into the 30s... Currently, we are cutting decorative stone…

“I came to Tenino to cut stone in 1989 and I will continue carving as long as I can. There is a future for Tenino sandstone. It’s a matter of the economic times. The quarries have risen and fallen over the years. They’ve seen their glories and they’ve seen their downtimes. Times will continue and there is a future for these stones. “

Ralph concludes: “It’s fun to go there…. to know that they constructed from here so many buildings across the American west. Amazing place. One of my favorite places.”

TVW is local programming offering coverage of Washington State government, politics and public policy. TVW also offers “My Favorite Places” with Ralph Munro, former Secretary of State. In these video diaries, Munro traveled through some of Washington’s most iconic and interesting places. To view the original video of Ralph Munro’s program about the Tenino Sandstone Quarries, along with videos of his other favorite places, click this link to My Favorite Places.

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Earlier this year, The Chronicle newspaper reported that Keith Phillips is working with others to start a nonprofit organization for the stonecarvers of the region, a living history exhibit in the city that would also provide training and an outlet for the stonecarvers’ work. The Chronicle newspaper serves readers in Lewis County and portions of Thurston and north Cowlitz counties. Read the article here: Tenino Stone Carvers to Become Nonprofit While Looking to Preserve Stone City’s Legacy | The Daily Chronicle (chronline.com)

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Tenino offers sandstone walking tours exploring the legacy of quarries and sandstone buildings. Tenino is also home to Wolf Haven International, a nationally recognized wolf sanctuary that has rescued and provided a lifetime home for over 300 displaced, captive-born animals since 1982. One of Tenino’s attractions is the Quarry Pool. “There’s nothing else like this anywhere!” claims the city’s website. The Quarry Pool was originally a working sandstone quarry in the late 1800s and is now a family-friendly recreation spot with a wading pool and deep water (complete with two diving boards and a waterfall). Hiking and bicycling also bring people to the area. On August 30, 1969, Tenino was the site of Sky River Rock Festival, II – read all about it here: Sky River Rock Festival, the second, opens at Tenino on August 30, 1969. - HistoryLink.org