Carthage Parks are receiving new signage, while honoring the heritage of Carthage and its beautiful Carthage “Marble”. It was found that the locally quarried limestone with its stone integrity could be polished like marble. In the late 1800s and early to mid-1900s it was used as a building material for beautiful and ornate structures, as well as street crossings.
Carthage is known for its Carthage Marble and our captivating Courthouse showcases its beauty. The marble is no longer quarried or used as a building material. What was once a booming industry that put Carthage on the map, now is a few pallets of stone. And back then many of those pieces would have been thrown out into the junk pile based on their age and condition. However, that will not be the case with the last few pieces of Carthage Marble. Thanks to the generosity of the Phelps family and their donation, we will be able to turn them into customized Parks signs throughout the city.
The craftsmanship it takes to be able to hand-pitch these signs and work with the marble is a dying artform. Each piece must be touched at least a dozen times to be able to craft it just right and to fit it together like a puzzle piece to complete the mold of the sign.
“We are honored to be able to give this last nod to Carthage Marble, by displaying the monuments proudly in our parks. The marble is the end of an era. And these signs will last for generations to come showcasing the importance of history, tradition and preservation,” reflects Abi Almandinger, Parks & Recreation Director.