R.S. Blome Granitoid Pavement in Grand Forks
R. S. Blome Granitoid Pavement in Grand Forks | |
47°55′27″N 97°1′58″W / 47.92417°N 97.03278°W / 47.92417; -97.03278 | |
Area | 55 acres (22 ha) (original) |
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Built | 1910-1911 |
Architect | Blome, R.S., Co. of Chicago |
NRHP reference No. | 91001583 and 10000605[1] |
Added to NRHP | November 5, 1991 (original) August 30, 2010 (decrease) Grand Forks, 10000605, |
R.S. Blome Granitoid Pavement is a historic road surface, as well as the associated cut sandstone curbs in a few sections, found in three of the oldest residential sections of Grand Forks, North Dakota. It is a Portland cement–aggregate combination that was intended to bridge the gap between the needs of Horse-drawn vehicles, which required sure footing, and automobiles, which needed a hard, resilient surface, in the earliest part of the 20th century.
R.S. Blome Granitoid was made from a mixture of Portland cement and angular granite chips along with other stone and sand, laid down over an appropriately arched prepared road bed followed by a six-inch layer of loose gravel (macadam). It was laid in five-foot sections which were sealed at the joints with an asphalt and rubber mix to allow for expansion. Another intended benefit of laying the pavement in these sections was that it allowed for removal of only necessary portions for utility work. However it would appear that this intention was ignored as indicated by the presence of utility cuts and mismatched concrete and asphalt patching in the Grand Forks examples.
Over these sections was laid a two-inch finish layer of Portland cement and carefully screened angular granite chips measuring between 1/8 and 3/8 of an inch. Angular chips of granite were specified over rounded river gravel to ensure a firm bond and prohibit the dislodging of gravel common to concrete. As the surface dried it was brushed and scored to resemble cut stone, providing a good non-slip surface for horses. Though the Blome Company patent specified a gridded pattern of scoring, the Grand Forks pavement exhibits a running bond pattern.
Also surviving are a number of bronze name plates embedded into the paving surface which read "Established 1888. GRANITOID. R.S. Blome. Chicago. 1907."
This pavement type was selected after a lively discussion by city residents as a solution to the problem of ankle-deep mud which was an annual result of the spring thaw and rains. The residents determined to have a quality pavement that would last long "after it was paid for". Their choice has been validated as the Granitoid is still quite serviceable and well suited to modern automobile traffic after nearly a century of use.
Out of several extant locations where Blome Granitoid has been found, such as Duluth, Minnesota, Calumet, Michigan and Spokane and Seattle, Washington, there are several characteristics which make the Grand Forks sections particularly significant. There is more surviving Granitoid and the associated brass name plates in Grand Forks, encompassing a number of streets in three distinct neighborhoods, than in any of the other locations. Another important difference is the aforementioned use of the running bond pattern in the scoring, which is unique among all of the remaining examples. It suggests a desire among the residents for an aesthetic, as well as functional, pavement.[2]
A 55-acre (22 ha) area was listed on the National Register in 1991. However, the listing was modified in 2010 to decrease the listed area.[3]
References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ Morris, Sally; Morris, Clyde; McCrosky, Lauren (November 5, 1991). "R.S. Blome Granitoid Pavement in Grand Forks". National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. National Park Service. Retrieved 2009-09-29.
- ^ "Weekly Announcements of NRHP listings". National Park Service. September 10, 2010.
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- Downtown Grand Forks Historic District
- Grand Forks Near Southside Historic District
- Grand Forks Riverside Neighborhood Historic District
- University of North Dakota Historic District
- Administration Building for the City of Grand Forks at the Grand Forks Airport
- Avalon Theater
- Building at 201 S. 3rd St.
- Building at 312 Kittson Ave.
- Carlott Funseth Round Barn
- Dakota Block
- Dinnie Apartments
- Dr. Henry Wheeler House
- Edgar Building
- Finks and Gokey Block
- First National Bank
- George B. Clifford House
- Grand Forks City Hall
- Grand Forks County Courthouse
- Grand Forks County Fairgrounds WPA Structures
- Grand Forks Herald
- Grand Forks Mercantile Building 1898
- Grand Forks Mercantile Co.
- Grand Forks Woolen Mills
- Great Northern Freight Warehouse and Depot
- Hariman Sanatorium
- Harriet and Thomas Beare House
- Hook and Ladder No. 1 and Hose Co. No. 2
- House at 1648 Riverside Drive
- Iddings Block
- J. Nelson Kelly House
- Joseph Bell DeRemer House
- Larimore City Hall
- Lyons Garage
- Martin V. Linwell House
- Masonic Temple
- Metropolitan Opera House
- North Dakota Mill and Elevator
- Northern Pacific Depot and Freight House
- Odd Fellows Block
- Oxford House
- R.S. Blome Granitoid Pavement in Grand Forks
- Roller Office Supply
- Skarsbo Apartments
- Speed Printing
- St. John's Block Commercial Exchange
- St. Michael's Hospital and Nurses' Residence
- Stratford Building
- Telephone Co. Building
- The Kegs Drive-In
- Thomas D. Campbell House
- U.S. Post Office and Courthouse
- Wells–Denbrook Architects Office Building
- Wright Block
- B'nai Israel Synagogue and Montefiore Cemetery
- St. Michael's Church
- United Lutheran Church
- Ben Franklin Elementary School
- Lewis and Clark Elementary School
- South Junior High School
- St. Michael's Parochial School
- Valley Junior High School
- Viking Elementary School
- Washington School
- West Elementary School
- Wilder Elementary School
- Midway Bridge
- Ost Valle Bridge
- Sorlie Memorial Bridge
- BPOE Lodge: Golden Block
- Building at 205 DeMers Ave.
- Building at 317 S. 3rd St.
- Clifford Annex
- Dinnie Block
- Electric Construction Co. Building
- Flatiron Building
- New Hampshire Apartments
- Northwood Bridge
- Red River Valley Brick Co.
- Viets Hotel