Indiana Limestone Used in Famous U.S. Landmarks

Best known for its permanence, one Indiana resource has played an incredible role in the construction of some of our nation's most iconic landmarks.

I struck up a conversation recently with a stranger that resulted in a surprising discovery. I learned that stone quarried from Indiana was used in a rather well-known national landmark.

The Surprising Role Indiana Plays in American Architecture

Of course, my immediate thought was, "I wonder if that's true." After a bit of online investigating, it turns out that not only was Indiana limestone used to build the landmark in question, but several other well-known national landmarks, too.

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Where Indiana Limestone Comes From

Indiana is home to the Salem Limestone Formation, a stretch of limestone that spans across miles between Owen County and Harrison County. Perhaps one of the most well-known limestone quarries was located near Bedford, Indiana.

The first commercial limestone quarry in Indiana’s stone belt opened in 1827 in Stinesville. Indiana has been a leading producer of dimension stone ever since, ranking third among all states for tonnage produced, according to a 2022 U.S. Geological Survey report. Limestone sales from Monroe County were estimated at $3 million around 1911 and $175 million in 2011.

A Brief History of Limestone Quarrying in Indiana

Often called Bedford Stone, and sometimes Bedford Marble, Indiana limestone has gone by many other names, too, like Bloomington Stone, White River Stone, and Gosport Stone, just to name a few.

Why Limestone Became a National Building Material

A number of fires in major cities across the United States between 1935 and 1904 resulted in new building codes that drove the popularity of limestone as a building material, both for its structural and decorative qualities. The result? Universities, Capitol buildings, and other national landmarks were built using Indiana limestone.

Famous U.S. Landmarks Built with Indiana Limestone

Keep scrolling to see some of the most prominent and well-known landmarks built from Indiana limestone.

[SOURCE: igws.indiana.edu]

These National Landmarks are Made with Indiana Limestone

Limestone mined from Indiana has been used to build some of the most iconic and legendary structures in the United States. It has even been trademarked as "The Nation’s Building Stone." Here are some of the most well-known National landmarks made of Indiana limestone.

Gallery Credit: Kat Mykals