Where Did This Stone Come From?: The Story Behind Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9798994428566)

Where did the stone for the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center come from?

In Where Did This Stone Come From? The Story Behind Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center, author Glenda Hankins explores the journey of the building stone used to construct one of the most striking visitor centers in the American Southwest. From the rugged landscape of the Four Corners region to the carefully crafted walls of the visitor center, this book follows the stone from quarry to finished structure.

Through photographs, behind-the-scenes stories, and explanations of the quarrying and masonry process, readers gain insight into how natural materials from the surrounding landscape were selected and shaped to create a building that belongs to the land itself. The book highlights the role of local craftsmen, the geology of the region, and the careful design choices that allow the architecture to blend with the environment of Mesa Verde.

Drawing on the author's direct connection to the stone quarrying process through Hankins Stone Company, the book provides a rare look at how raw stone becomes architecture. Readers will discover how the materials were sourced, cut, and assembled, and why the stone chosen for the visitor center reflects the character of the Four Corners region.

Perfect for visitors to Mesa Verde National Park, lovers of architecture and geology, and anyone curious about how buildings are shaped by the landscapes around them, this visual narrative reveals the story hidden within the stone itself.