Marion Steam Shovel
Also known as: LeRoy Steam Shovel
Why it's listed
A 105-ton steam shovel about the size of a railroad boxcar sits beside Gulf Road east of LeRoy, New York, near the limestone quarry where it once worked. It is believed to be a Marion Model 91, built of riveted sheet iron and cast iron with three steam engines and a coal-fired boiler. It first ran on railroad wheels; these were replaced with crawler tracks in 1923 or 1924. The shovel is considered important as a rare survivor of the machinery that made crushed stone for railroad beds and early roads. It is the only known surviving Model 91, the type used to dig the Panama Canal, and oral history suggests it may have come from that project in 1911, though no written records confirm this. It also reflects LeRoy's quarrying history and the General Crushed Stone Company, which operated the local quarry. The Town of LeRoy now owns it, and it is no longer in use.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the shovel is a rare survivor of the technology that supplied crushed stone for railroads and roads. It is believed to be the only surviving Marion Model 91, the model used on the Panama Canal. It is also tied to the LeRoy limestone industry and the General Crushed Stone Company.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 08000038, listed February 22, 2008. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Gulf Rd., LeRoy |
|---|---|
| County | Genesee County |
| Listed | February 22, 2008 |
| Reference number | 08000038 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | ca 1911-1949 |
| Architect / builder | Marion Steam Shovel Co |
| Architectural style | No style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Engineering |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Not in use. The boiler and boom engine are not in working condition, but the hoisting and swing engines are likely workable on compressed air. The Town of LeRoy owns it, and it sits in a fenced area behind a locked gate. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 42.99241, -77.93435 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 08000038.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6765375
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.