7 Wonders Nomination - The Quarry

by Joseph Dwinell

Hidden high in the brush of the town forest resides a five-story rock cathedral. It’s a quiet cliff that was once the bustling Holliston Quarry.

When I was a kid, my family would take frequent hikes up to the quarry. My mom would pack us a lunch and we would make an afternoon of it. Both my sister and I explored the surrounding rock formations left behind from the digging and blasting that once used to go on, at the turn of the 19th century.

Out of all the wonders that Holliston has to offer, the quarry has to be my favorite. I know the quarry and the surrounding woods like my bedroom. I can tell you where everything is – from the steep cliff of the quarry to what used to be a cutting station where the granite was chiseled for foundations of houses, to the route you need to take if you want to make it down to the floor of the quarry.

If you have ever visited there, you may have noticed a large pine tree situated at the very highest point of the quarry. It’s been said that on a clear day, if you have a sharp eye, you can see the tops of Boston’s highest buildings. I can’t say for certain if this myth is true or not. I’ve contemplated trying to climb this bigger-than-normal pine, but climbing and Joey don’t mix.

On many occasions you can find me wandering on the paths to the quarry with my dog leading the way. When my dog needs a walk, the quarry is our favorite place; we both love to go.

Going there always brings back an avalanche of memories.