Part of what is now the Wells-Lamson Quarry was originally the first-known quarry on Millstone Hill, opened by Abijah Abbott in about 1825. His son, Richard F. Abbott, joined the business in 1834 after the tavern he operated in present-day East Barre burned to the ground. The heirs of Richard Abbott operated the quarry until 1883, when it was purchased by three investors: J.K. Pirie, George Lamson and Sydney Wells. They ran the quarry in conjunction with their other quarry holdings. Sydney Wells retired, leaving the firm in 1891. George Lamson died in 1902. At that time, the quarry was then taken over by the heirs of George Lamson. It was later purchased by the Jones Brothers Granite Co. Rock of Ages bought the quarry in 1986, making Rock of Ages the exclusive quarrier of Barre Gray granite. The quarry is currently being developed as an aggregate quarry, supplying granite that is then crushed for use in road construction.
Some of the granite quarried is not suitable for use as a finished product due to cracks, spots and other natural imperfections. The amount of usable granite varies markedly from quarry to quarry, and even within quarries themselves. E.L. Smith Quarry has an outstandingly high recovery rate due to the homogeneous texture and quality of the granite. It boasts an incredible 75% recovery rate.