The Hudson and Chester Granite Co., this was one of two finishing works (the other by the Roundhouse on Middlefield Road) in Chester for cutting and polishing the granite brought down the mountain on the Chester and Becket railroad (built for this purpose) from the present day Becket Quarry in Becket. It burned down, twice and has been private property since. Until now.

September 7, 1911 (Westfield News) “Hudson and Chester Granite Company Lose Plant By Fire”

Two years prior the Hudson and Chester Granite Company had decided to concentrate on their quarry in Becket and get out of the cutting and polishing business. They leased their buildings in Chester to a new company formed by investors from Quincy MA called the Chester Granite and Polishing Company. The lease was beneficial to both companies, the new company promised to purchase 20,000 cubic feet of granite from the Hudson and Chester quarry, while the quarry committed to providing that amount to the new company.

The Hudson and Chester company had let the insurance lapse on their property so the Chester Granite and Polishing Company only received about $3,000 for the loss of their equipment. They borrowed money and purchased what remained of the site from the Hudson and Chester company and rebuilt the cutting and polishing sheds.

It wasn’t the first time that the Hudson and Chester buildings burned. In 1893 they also completely burned to the ground but at least at that time the company had insurance and was able to rebuild. The fire was the third major fire in the town in a few months, so the town voted to create a reservoir on Austin Brook to “supply a sufficient number of hydrants to protect the village and that water can be directed to the village for domestic purposes.” The 1893 fire that destroyed the Hudson and Chester buildings also led to the creation of Chester’s water system. Courtesy Chester Historical

Please help us conserve this Historical Landmark! https://www.gofundme.com/f/dd6p8-conserve-the-hudson-and-chester-granite-works

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