The ruins of Seneca Quarry, where the rusty red colored stone is prominent after being weathered over time.
Photo by: Ron Cogswell/Flickr | CC BY 2.0
Located along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, Seneca Quarry is a historical site that was the source of stone for hundreds of buildings in the Washington, D.C., area. Numerous quarries operated along the Potomac River, and the C&O Canal transported the heavy stone to D.C.
The stone quarried there to build the Smithsonian Castle was originally anticipated to be a lilac-gray color, but turned to a rusty red as it weathered. Iron oxide is what gives the sandstone its rust color. The red sandstone was prized for its durability and bright color. [1]
Today only ruins remain of Seneca Quarry. Overgrown with dense brush, the property is best visited in the wintertime.
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