Quarryman’s great-granddaughter shares about prowess of quarry in Clarendon
Jennifer Wells-Dickerson, center, answers questions following her presentation Wednesday evening during the meeting of the Clarendon Historical Society. On the screen in the background is a photo of Wells-Dickerson’ great-grandfather Pasquale DiLaura (right) and his son Ellis DiLaura.The DiLaura Stone Co. ran the O’Brien Quarry in Clarendon long after many local quarries had closed.
CLARENDON – Local residents had an opportunity to learn more about the O’Brien/DiLaura Stone Co. Medina sandstone quarry on Howard Road in Clarendon.
Jennifer Wells-Dickerson gave a presentation Wednesday on her great-grandfather, Pasquale DiLaura, who was a stone cutter, business owner and promoter of Medina sandstone. He kept the Clarendon quarry running after other local quarries closed in the 1920’s and 1930’s.
Wells-Dickerson, who lives in Hamlin, has been amassing information, photographs, ledgers and other materials from the DiLaura Stone Co. She started gathering the information when she wrote a research report on her great-grandfather and local quarries for a high school English class at Albion High School.
A photograph on the screen of Wells-Dickerson’s great -grandfather Pasquale DiLaura with blocks of Medina sandstone from the Clarendon quarry.
She noted that sandstone from the DiLaura quarry in Clarendon was used to construct shelters and other structures in Hamlin Beach State Park, bridges and culverts on the Lake Ontario State Parkway, and numerous homes and municipal projects.
“During the Great Depression, he kept his men working, even though there were few orders” Wells-Dickerson said.
Tools used in the Clarendon quarries were also on display at the Historical Society Barn during Wednesday’s presentation.
Having a stockpile of stone available was a major factor in DiLaura Stone being chosen to build bridges and culverts along the Lake Ontario State Parkway, she explained during her presentation that was hosted by the Clarendon Historical Society.
Wells-Dickerson said she hopes someday to write a book on the subject to share information she has gathered with more people.
