EGA Industry

INDUSTRY: ELBERTON, GEORGIA

Elberton's heritage as "the Granite Capital of the World" may be seen in many areas of the community from memorials recognizing Revolutionary War heroes and founders to newer veterans' memorials, granite signs, granite homes, granite banks, a granite Civic Center, and of course the "Granite Bowl" stadium with a seating capacity of 20,000.

INDUSTRY: DID YOU KNOW?

How was Elberton granite formed?

Elberton granite began 325 million years ago as a large, hot (1300 degrees to 1400 degrees Farenheit) mass of magma or molten rock. This magma originated when some of the earth's crust melted -- probably at a depth of about 11-12 miles. The magma rose upward and came to rest about nine miles beneath Elberton. There it cooled very slowly -- taking more than a million years -- and solidified into granite. That was more than 300 million years ago.

INDUSTRY: QUARRYING TECHNIQUES

Granite is cut from the "bed" of the quarry with a jet piercing machine that produces a flame burning at approximately 3,000 degrees Farenheit. This high-velocity flame, created by burning oxygen and fuel oil, is directed at the granite to be removed, causing a continuous flaking action. As the flame nozzle is moved up and down, a channel is created around large sections in the quarry.