World’s Largest Open Limestone Quarry

by Don Milne, of Roadtrip-'62
(Saginaw, MI)

Visitor Suggested Place to Visit: If you're in Rogers City, Michigan, a nice bit of sightseeing after dinner is to stop by the world’s largest open limestone quarry. First take a look at the ships in port, out at Harbor View on Calcite Road, where you can watch the lake freighters being loaded. Harbor View is found off of Third Street and Woodward Avenue and the route is signed.

The main attraction though is a look into the quarry, and there are a couple of spots where you can do that. One of the best is called Quarry View and you can find it along US-23 just south of town. The quarry is so large that it’s on both sides of the road! This has been a limestone quarry since 1914, because the stone is a good quality for concrete and steel-making and has a natural port on Lake Huron right at the foot of the quarry.

An entire railroad yard was built around and within the quarry to serve it with land transportation, but the line was removed about 10 years ago.

After you’re done ooohing and ahhing over the size of the hole, it’s time to head back to your motel for the night.