Red Granite Quarry,
Red Granite, Wisconsin

Discovery of red granite at the central Wisconsin hamlet of Sand Prairie in the 1880s sparked a mining boom that brought skilled stonecutters from Europe to settle the area. Granite paving blocks from the quarry were used in streets as far away as Chicago. When concrete and asphalt became the popular choice for paving, the site closed in the 1920s. Now filled with a 7-acre lake, the quarry was designated a village park in 1995, and is used by scuba instructors for deep-water diving certification and by tourists and residents for other recreational activities. The site is composed of a series of cliffs connected by steep drop-offs. Features of this site include easy access and great visibility.

Depths to: 238 feet (72 m), but most diving is done in the range of 30-90 feet (9-27 m)

Visibility: 20-30 feet (6-9 m)

Water temperature: Mid-40s to 74 degrees Fahrenheit (6-8 degrees Celsius to 24 degrees Celsius)

Aquatic life: Sun fish, freshwater jellyfish

Fees: None

On-site amenities: The small downtown includes a restaurant, bank and post office.

More info: Call the Village of Redgranite at (920) 566-2381 or e-mail redgranite@vbe.com.

Open: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily

Getting there: From Oshkosh, Wisconsin, travel west on State Highway 21 until you see the signs for Redgranite. The park is downtown.