Griffith Quarry - Penryn, California

DATE VISITED: 02/14/2015

HISTORICAL SITE:  Griffith Quarry

LOCATION: Taylor Rd. & Rock Springs Rd., Penryn, Placer Co.

MARKER #: 1977000322 & 885

DEDICATED: May 7, 1976

"In the fall of 1864, Mr. Griffith Griffith, a native of Wales, established the quarry located near this site which was later to supply high-quality granite for a number of important buildings in San Francisco and Sacramento, including portions of the State Capitol. This was also the site of the state's first commercially successful granite polishing mill, erected in 1874.
**closer look below

MARKER PLACED BY: The State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the Placer County Park and Historical Restoration Commission

RESTAURANT: Taylor's Corner, 3987 Taylor Rd., Loomis, CA

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS: 

I don't want to hear it...yes, this isn't a Monday either. 

I got to the Griffith Quarry a little afternoon and to my delight, there is a small museum there.  "Open Saturday - Sunday, 12:00 to 4:00", so I grab the doorknob and...nothing.  

I go over to a bench to wait and watch the people around me.  This is a set off point for bicyclists and there's a large group in front of me.  One guy walks across the street and comes back with beer. There's grumbling about an IPA but soon enough I hear the bottles clinking in a congratulatory manner.

There are trails back to the main part of the quarry but I can hear my parents cautioning voice about going out on a trail alone.  Ok...hushing the voices in my head...Dad, Mom...I think I can handle this.

So I set off and quickly the sound of people drops off but sadly, you can still hear the traffic.  The sounds of the birds increase and when traffic slows, there's a certain silence.  

 I pass a fence where lots of people have carved their initials.  I even saw a cactus with names carved into it.  I walked the trails for a bit and quickly realize I am not doing my sore knee any favors.

I fell down a number of stairs in September. Thankfully I was carrying the memory foam topper to my bed so the fall was remarkably cushy...except for my knee.  Now it's giving me fits but it hasn't stopped me yet.  

When I come off the trails, the museum is open and I went in.  It's a very small one room building and I find out it's the original office for Mr. Griffith Griffith.  Yep, that's right...the man with a double name.  To top that off, he had a clerk working for him named...get this... Owen Owen!  I swear, its true!  Must be a Welsh thing as both men came from Wales.

 

The restaurant I chose this time was Taylor's Corner.  The most interesting thing about it is they have probably every flavor of shake and malt.  The menu, just for the shakes, is 3 very cramped panels.  The caramel shake was terrific.

 TripAdvisor review here...