Frazier Quarry
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Quarry |
| Founded | 1915 |
| Founder | Robert Y. Frazier |
| Headquarters | Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States |
Area served | primarily Eastern United States |
| Products | Fire pits, dimension bluestone, fountains, benches, crushed stone |
Number of employees | 50 (2008) |
| Website | Frazier Quarry Home |
The Frazier Quarry Inc. (TFQ), a prominent family-operated quarry and stone supplier, is based in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It stands as the exclusive source of Shenandoah Valley Bluestone and provides crushed stone alongside a variety of retail stone products. Established in 1915 under the name Betts Quarry, it adopted the current name in 1946 to reflect the Frazier family ownership. TFQ distributes its materials through its own brand as well as the Stonewall Grey line, which features quarry-direct merchandise.
History
Operating since 1915, TFQ has played a vital role in supplying crushed stone integral to construction projects throughout the Shenandoah Valley region. The firm broadened its offerings by producing “The Valley’s Own Bluestone,” thereby reinvigorating the use of native bluestone in local building practices. TFQ also serves the landscaping and outdoor living sectors with products such as landscaping stones, fire pit kits, fountains, flagstone slabs, and sturdy stone benches designed for gardens.
Historical Innovation
Bluestone has long been a defining element in the architecture of the Shenandoah Valley, appearing in early settler homes and distinguished facilities including James Madison University’s "Bluestone Campus," Virginia Military Institute, Washington and Lee University, Belle Grove Plantation, and the Stonewall Jackson Home. As local supply diminished over time, TFQ strategically positioned itself to provide cost-effective bluestone solutions to satisfy the resurging regional demand.
Environmental Consciousness
TFQ advocates for environmental sustainability by promoting the use of locally sourced stone to reduce fuel consumption. Its products contribute to the construction of LEED-certified buildings by complementing energy-efficient designs. Additionally, Frazier Quarry’s stone is increasingly utilized in ecological restoration efforts such as stream bank stabilization, erosion prevention, and soil reinforcement.
Highlighted environmental programs include:
- Land Reclamation – Transforming mined areas back into functional spaces like parks, school grounds, farmland, and arboretums through processes including backfilling, contouring landforms, and planting vegetation.
- Wildlife Preservation – Protecting natural ecosystems adjacent to mining sites by establishing buffer zones that restrict unauthorized access, hunting activities, and vehicle traffic.
- Erosion Control – Employing large boulders known as "Rip Rap" to safeguard against soil erosion, stabilize stream banks, and reduce flood impact.
- AgLime – Utilizing a calcium- and magnesium-rich powdered byproduct derived from crushed stone processing to improve soil quality and boost agricultural productivity.
- Low-Emission Machinery – Operating quarry equipment powered by ACERT engines that comply with EPA Tier 2 and Tier 3 emissions standards while enhancing operational efficiency and fuel economy.
- Recycling Oil – Collecting used oils and lubricants from heavy machinery for combustion in specialized furnaces to generate heat energy.