Barbara Louise Howell Erkkila Ricker was born in Boston on July 11, 1918. She was he second daughter of John Waldron (aka Dauris) and Adelia Parsons Jones Howell. Around 1920 her father was killed in a motorcycle accident leaving her mother to raise the family of three girls: Grace (1911), the oldest, Barbara and Muriel, who was born in 1919. Originally from Lanesville, Mrs. Howell brought her daughters back to Cape Ann to live. In the early 1930’s she met and married her second husband, Grover Cleveland Crowell, and had three more children Richard, Marjorie and Stephen.

Barbara grew up surrounded by the quarries she would later research and write about, and became fascinated with the tools used in the industry. According to an article she wrote for the Boston Globe her blacksmith grandfather would take her to the quarries and “admonished her to always remember how important the granite industry is.”

She graduated from Gloucester High School in 1936, where she was an honor student all four years. After high school she worked as a stenographer and traffic manager at the Russia Cement Co (later Lepages).

On April 27, 1941, she married Onni R. Erkkila son of John and Hilma Erkkila of Lanesville. Onni’s father was a granite cutter. They had three children: John born in 1942 (married to Betty Kielinen of Rockport), Kathy born 1947, and Marjorie born 1948. While raising her children Barbara found time to study Russian at Boston University night school from 1959 to 1962.

Barbara began to work for the Gloucester Daily Times straight out of High School in 1936, in 1953 she became a feature writer, and later served as women’s editor, community news editor, freelance article writer for magazines, editor of the weekly magazine for Essex County Newspapers, editorial asst. and photographer. She retired from the newspaper in 1985. She also taught evening classes in Russian at the Ipswich public Schools and designed jewelry.

During the war she was on the price panel for the Office of Price Administration from 1944-46. She also was a member of the ARC nurse’s aide class at Addison Gilbert Hospital 1942-43.

For several years she served as a member of the Gloucester Historical Commission and as Secretary of the Lanesville Community Center. She also found time to be active in Girl Scouts.

A certified genealogist, she belongs to the Sandy Bay Historical Society, Ohio Genealogical Society, Delaware Genealogical Society and Virginia Genealogical Society. She was also appointed a granite industry consultant at the Cape Ann Historical Society.

She is a charter member of the North Shore Rock and Mineral Club and a member of the North Shore Button Club.

She is the author of several books and articles covering Cape Ann among them: Hammers on Stone, 1980, Village at Lanes Cove, 1989, and was the editor of the Lanes Cove cookbook 1954. She is currently working on a book about the New England Quarry Industry.

In 1981, her husband Onni was killed tragically in a motorcycle accident in Gloucester. In 1998 while researching gang saws (a multiblade machine used for cutting granite) a mason friend told her to write to Ashton Ricker, who knew how to run one. Mutual interests blossomed into romance and in February 2000, they were married in Chelmsford, Mass. She was 81 and he 86. They resided in Chelmsford, Mass. At 95 years of age, Barbara Louise (Howell) Erkkila passed away on December 14th, 2013.

The bulk of the contents of the original donation (Accession # 1994.78) are related to Lanesville and the Cape Ann quarrying industry.

Other items include Finnish books, diaries, receipts and photos of the people of Cape Ann.

Of Note:

-Large collection of photographs dealing with the quarries and Cape Ann, most notably Lanesville.

-Plans for the New York Holland Tunnel

-Tracings from the original “plans and section” of the Bunker Hill Monument by Simon Willard

-A framed original the regulations of the Lane’s Cove Pier Co.

-Large collection of artifacts pertaining to the quarry industry, tools, photos, granite blocks, ephemera including a small model of a galamander. These items are located in the quarry room at the Cape Ann Historical Society.

-5 year diary kept by Lanesville native Rudolph Karttonen c 1936 covers some local and national events

-Address by Rev.W.C. Wood on the occasion of the opening of the Lanesville Library 1872

-Records of the Cape Ann # 55 Knights of Pythias

-Ledger books of the Quarry Workers Union -Finnish books

-Loose file and book containing business receipts

Series I: Quarry Industry

This series contains items relating to the quarry industry, including maps, blueprints, photos, ephemera, tools, and ledger books.

Series II: Cemetery Records

This series contains loose zeroxed folders of records for the Sandy Bay Folly Cove, Bay View, Bridge Street, Ancient burying ground, and Lanes Cove cemeteries

Series III: Lanesville, Finns, and Misc. Cape Ann Ephemera

Box 1

Series I: Quarry Industry

Book: Holland Tunnel contract 15 Architectural finish for the New York approaches contract drawings 1-50 dated 1928

Book: Holland Tunnel contract No 16 Architectural finish for New Jersey approaches drawings 1-53 dated 1928

Loose-leaf notebook: Advanced Training Course (1950-1951 season) for the production of granite

Bound manual: Report of Proceedings Apprentice Training Conference held in Boston September 15-25 1926. Belonged to George A.Ricker Rockport

Folder 1:

Blueprints for the assembly of: gang saw (straight cut gang model E), gang saw pump pit, and pump pit gang saw. Patch and Wegner Company.

Folder 2: Misc. papers of the Rockport Granite Co.

Some of these papers were given to Barbara from the late Alfred Czerepak Stock certificate dated 1864 sold by Anna Fiske in 1873 [removed to Granite Exhibit, 2014]

Shipping and bill of lading dated 1900 for schooner Rebecca M. Smith.

3 bills for kegs of gunpowder from Charles J. Gray, 1900, 1901. [1900 removed to Granite Exhibit, 2014]

Misc. Scraps of paper.

Memos e.g. Slp Albert Baldwin 670lbs old rigging.

Misc. receipts 1910-11

Ad for Crosby Clips.

List of Estimated Jobs, 1917

Rockport Granite Co. Fireman’s Report, 1909

Folder 3:

Four tracings of Bunker Hill Monument. Willard’s plans and sections. Copy from the Boston Public Library

Folder 4:

Site maps and blueprints for the upper and lower quarry pit Rockport Granite.

Blueprint of the former land owned by Pigeon Cove Granite Company dated 1881 showing Bay State Pit

Map dated 1895, highway map to quarry pit Rockport and Pigeon Cove (Flat Ledge)

Map Pigeon Hill Granite dated March 6, 1898, upper pit where man was killed

Box 1 cont.

Folder 5:

Partial photocopy of a letter dated February 28, 1959 from the Galamander shop Vinalhaven, Maine to Barbara Erkkila

Architectural Granite Catalog dated 1931 (Boston, Mass)

Trow and Holden Catalogues stone cutting tools Barre, Vermont, 1931 & 1996

Reprint of an article from Engineering News February 25, 1915 “The manufacture of Granite paving blocks.”

Pinel Tool Co. catalog #3 Quincy, Mass

Included in this series but wrapped separately are the following:

Round tube containing the plans for the Holland Tunnel New York Van Dyke entrance

Books 1: 

Treasurer’s cashbook 1925-1926

Treasurer’s cashbook 1933-1936

These books appear to have belonged to the Quarry Union and contain lists of money taken in and expended. Fred E. Jacobsen kept the books, which contain salary, dues, hall rentals and other expenditures. Aid from Barre Vermont April 1935. June 1925-26 shop stewards allowances, hall rentals, officer’s salaries, money to coal miners (Jan. 1926) strike donations August 1926.

Books 2-18

Set of 17 ledgers of the Quarry Workers International Union Branch 86 Rockport, Mass organized Feb 3, 1906. These books cover the years 1906-1934 and contain lists of quarry workers and the dues paid to Union. Some of the books contain separate pages for members over 60. The book (11) covering the year’s 1927-1930 list Rockport members only.

The quarry room at the Cape Ann Historical contains tools, model of galamander, compressor and ephemera given with this collection.

800 plus photos are located in the photo archive collection in the Library.

Box 1A

Series I Quarry Industry (items removed from permanent Quarry Exhibit in 2013)

Folder 1:

Booklet: Agreement of Cape Ann Branch of Granite Cutters’ International Assoc. of America, 1938 (2 copies)

Rockport Granite Co. receipt book ‘Estimate of Paving Blocks’ 1919. Names of workers.

Luggage tags, Rockport Granite Co.: Plans of Registry of Deeds Bldg, Salem, MA; AM Industrial Bank; Ekstrom Monument; Keith Theatre; Hamm Bldg; Winter’s Nat’l Bank; Bankers Building; SSKresge, Boston, MA; Times Publishing Co., Erie, PA; People’s Bank, Steelton, PA; Wm. Glidden accident to eye, April 3, 1911

Loose:

5 small (6.5 x 2.5) account books contains hours worked and amount of blocks cut. Leroy Ford owned one. One titled ‘weights’ giving some vessel names & stone loaded.

Set of 2 account books from the Rockport Granite Company dated 1915 used in estimating paving blocks

Small envelope containing:

1) Constitution of the Granite Cutters International Association of America January 1, 1941

2) 24 years of dues cards (Granite Cutters International Assoc.) Louis Fingel Johnson covering years 1918-1942.

3) Louis Johnson honorary card Granite Cutters International Association July 1, 1943

4) Union catechism for the American Federation of Labor 1939

Folder 2: Returned from Auditorium exhibit in 2024. Originally put on display in 2014:

Shipping slip for Rockport Granite Co., paving blocks to the ‘Jersey Flats’ on sch. J. Henry Edmunds, 1899

2 Rockport Granite Co. order sheets with sketch & dimensions of blocks.

Luggage tags, Rockport Granite Co.: Bellmore & Merrick Ave. Bridges, Southern State Park Way; Bank Bldg Central Trust & Tile Co., Erie, PA; Chicago Telephone Co.’ Rialto Theatre, Chicago. Plymouth Cordage, Boston, Elks Memorial, Detroit, Theatre Bldg, Philipsburg, Independent Park, Beverly, Kansas City Library.

Cancelled check Rockport Granite Co. to Edward H. Brown, 1889

3 booklets:

Constitution of the Granite Cutters’ International Assoc. of America, 1905 Constitution of the Quarry Workers’ International Union, 1920 By-laws of Cape Ann Branch of the Granite Cutters’ International Assoc. of America, 1914

Business card of William R. Cheves, High St. Quarry, Lanesville

2 Granite Cutters’ International Assoc contribution cards for Louis Johnson, 1918 & undated; contribution card & envelope for the Quarry Workers’ International Union, Louis Johnson, 1930.

Weekly payment of wages for August, 1909, Rockport Granite Co., names of workers and amounts.Post card showing a granite fountain made by the Rockport Granite Company

Loose:

Small (6.5 x 2.5) account books contains hours worked and amount of blocks cut kept by Charles Chapman, 1897-1898.

Box 2

Series II Cemetery Records

Folder 1: 

Xeroxed copies of records for Sandy Bay Folly Cove ancient burial ground William Dolliver report 1896 (90 pages)

Folder 2:

Duplicate pages Gloucester cemetery records

Folder 3:

Records for Bay View, Bridge Street, Gloucester and Lanes Cove cemeteries (204 zeroxed pages)

Folder 4:

Partial copy of the Essex Antiquarian dated Jan. 1905 Gloucester inscriptions Ancient Burying ground

Box 3

Series III Lanesville, Finnish people and misc. Cape Ann ephemera

Books:

Hard cover Lasten Kirja used by children in Finnish language Sunday School 1922. (owned by Lilja Erkkila)

Finnish/English Cook-Book, Perhe = Kokkikirja, 1906

Sanakirja Ja Lavseoppi English-Finnish dictionary, 1911 Neilsen and Lundbeck NY

2 small hardbound songbooks Laulava Toivonliitto [Songs of Praise?] 1947 (stamped Valon-Leimu Temperance Society Rockport, Mass)

5 year dairy dated August 14, 1936 (but running 1935 - 1939) kept by Rudolph Ludwig Karttonen of Lanesville . Many entries about work and school. Mentions the tearing down of the old Post office in 1938, his 19th birthday, graduation and a marathon which took place July 4, 1935 The Rockport Town Team defeated Lynn Electric 4-3 on July 4th 1935. One entry in 1938 says, “Europe is troubled and America is doubling aircraft defenses.” Dec 1936 an entry mentions the new Social Security Act and in 1935 a new game called Monopoly is developed.

Loose-leaf notebook seems to be a guest book 1972-1973 Ellery House?

Small diary by unknown Annisquam woman, 1893, mentions Buhler, sketching, painting, Lobster Cove, etc.

Small book Address by Rev. W.C. Wood on the opening of the Lanesville Library 1872. Hand drawn sketch of Jacob’s well on the frontispiece. First printed catalogue of the library and newspaper clipping of the opening pasted in at the back. Handwritten list of the subscribers dated 1862.

Bound binder dated 1907-1909 owned by Rufus McLellan of Lanesville includes all the invoices he received during those years

Loose: Small scroll of map of Lanesville (from Walling 1851)

Box 3 cont.

Folder 1:

Papers in reference to Warren Lane’s early business found in Ms Idah Austin’s papers:

Bills from Smith & Pool, 1877; L.E. Smith; Dr. L. Saunders, 1878; J.L. Andrews & Sons, 1870; Albert Lane, 1879; E.W. Harriman, 1873

Narragansett Fire Insurance Policy, 1869

Tax Receipts 1868-1889 (some years missing)

Probate petitioning that Warren Lane be made guardian of Warren Sargent and Alphonso Sargent dated Jan. 1867 minor children of Sarah Ann Sargent who died 1866; also a probate letter affirming guardianship.

Bills from Louis Palelli, 1942 (for new house 1100 Washington St for Ida Austin after she retired from the Folly Cove Inn); Jesse M. Main, 1950; Tidewater Engineering Co., 1942

Folder 2:

2 dance cards for the 3rd Grand Ball at Seaside Brotherhood Christmas Eve Dec. 24, 1894

Dance card for the Grand Anniversary Concert and Ball April 18, 1895 at Lanesville Rink

Dance card for the 26th anniversary Cape Ann Lodge Lanesville Rink Dec. 1, 1897

Program 82nd Annual Convention, Spirian Lodge #98, 1981, in observance of the 75th anniversary (1981) of the Vasa order of America

Edward Lane Memoranda (small notebook) with hours worked and jobs done.

Calendar dated 1944 with Gloucester scenes

The Finns in America, Finland and other writings of John I Kolehmainen Heidelberg College. (small pamphlet bibliography)

4 leather bound books containing the records of the Cape Ann Lodge #55 Knights of Pythias Lanesville covering the years 1878-1939 are wrapped separately

Located in the back room of the CAHS library in Box P27 are papers relating to Mayor David Robinson. Barbara gave these papers with her collection but specified they should be a gift from the Robinson sisters.

Addendum Marcia J. Brown A# 2011.20

Box 4

Series I Quarry Industry

Rolled photograph of Fletcher Quarry 1921. ( May have been located in Westford, Mass)

1. Quarry Workers branch 86, Rockport, Mass 1906-1908

2. Lanesville branch 81 an 1907 in Italian ,to Sept 1908, April 1, 1909 to June 5, 1914

3. Finnish list 1st section 1913-1914, 1914 -1916 . In English Oct 1920- Sept 1921. Rockport branch # 80 Quarry Workers International Union.

4. Treasurers Report. Quarry Workers International Union Branch 81 Lanesville. 1915 - 1916 some 1918

5. Cash Book Lanesville Branch #81 1918 -1920

6. Treasurer’s Cash Book Lanesville Branch #81 1922 - 1924

7. Treasurer’s Cash Book 1927 -1931

8. Cash Book Lanesville Branch #81 1929 -1931

9. 2. Account Book Quarry Workers branch # 86 Rockport/Pigeon Cove 1907 - 1911. In Finnish

Box 5

Series I Quarry Industry

1. Account Book Jan 1906- Dec1911.

2. Account Book Quarry Workers Branch #81 Lanesville. July 1910 - Dec 1913

3. Account Book Oct 1, 1914 - Nov 6, 1914

4 Account Book Lanesville Sept 1921 - Nov 4, 1921

5. Ledger Rockport Branch Union records 1924 -1926 6. Account Book 1935-1937 ( Fred Jacobsen)