2015 QUARRY TOUR Gillis Quarries Limited was founded in 1910 by August Gillis and was incorporated in 1922. The company began on a small scale and has grown over the last one hundred years into Manitoba’s largest dimensional stone quarry specializing in the fabricating of Tyndall Stone®. Gillis Quarries Limited invites you to tour its operations located just outside of Winnipeg, Manitoba. We will take you on a 450-million-year journey, bringing the history, beauty and grace of Tyndall Stone® alive in its raw and finished forms. This rare, medium-density dolomitic limestone deposit discovered in Garson, Manitoba, has given birth to some of the most beautiful buildings in modern history. Canada is the only source in the world for this stone, geologically referred to as the Upper Moled Limestone of the Red River Formation of the Ordovician System. For decades, designers have found purpose for this remarkably versatile stone, both for interior and exterior applications all over mainland North America and as far away as the Virgin Islands. Canada’s most famous signature structure, The Parliament Buildings in Oawa, used Tyndall Stone® extensively in its Hall of Honour. Tyndall Stone®’s unique moling has resulted in it becoming known as the tapestry of stones. One of the other distinguishing characteristics that designers opt for is the presence of fossils embedded in the stone. Throughout the stone, there are pre-historic remains of many sea creatures, most commonly the sunflower coral. Many designers believe that the look of Tyndall Stone® is art in itself. Join us in viewing the 8-foot diameter diamond tip blades cut through raw stone and the pit crew extract 8 tonne blocks of Manitoba limestone. Our tour will include the processing plant to observe the cuing and finishing of shapes and mouldings with our saws, lathes, and planers. We hope you enjoy taking a walk through the distinguished history that has been an important part of Canada’s architectural legacy. 450 Million Years of History