Wendy's Chose Schmidt Rhyolite for the Facade on one of its Colorado Retail Outlets

Douglas County Government Building

Castle Rock Rhyolite or Wall Mountain Tuff, as its known in geological terms, was first mined from the Castle Rock area in the 1870’s by miners making $2.50 per day.

The stone was recognized for its natural beauty, durability, and utility as a superior dimension stone (one that is cut to specified and constant size). It became an important material for the region’s building boom. The stone was quarried by hand and then shipped by rail from Castle Rock to Denver, Colorado Springs and Pueblo and as far away as Cheyenne Wyoming, Omaha and Kansas City for the construction of that eras buildings.

Rhyolite is a colorful and lightweight volcanic rock that has been used since the late 1800’s for building structures. It is commonly used as surface veneer to provide a colorful and rough-hewn surface that causes a constant play of shadows across the walls of buildings.

Schmidt excavates rhyolite stone from its natural environment and sorts it into various boulder sizes and colors (tan, grey, brown, pink and purple). The stone is then hand split into veneer for building purposes. The stone breaks with a sharp, yet uneven fracture that causes the constant play of shadows across the walls. The veneer stone can be shipped in bulk or on conveniently shrink-wrapped pallets.

Rhyolite weighs roughly one-half as much as limestone and granite, does not crumble and is virtually impervious to the elements. This makes it an ideal choice for building veneer faces on structures to incorporate colorful, pleasing accents.

For more information on how to use this unique, historic building material in your next project Click Here.

Decorative Rhyolite Stone examples:

 Walmart Entrance     Wendy's       Kohl’s Entrance      Outback Steakhouse        
Shopping Center Entrance       Briargate Front Entrance I      
Briargate Front Entrance II       Monument Bridge