Grindstone industry played an important role in the economic development of Tantramar area.

The Read family was largely involved in managing the various quarries that produced grindstones in Stone Haven, Slack's Cove etc. In the beginning the grindstones were shipped by sea. At one point Mr. Read owned 51 schooners that took Read stones to various ports in United States, Caribbean, and South America.

With the after the arrival of Intercolonial Railway, the grindstones were shipped by rail. This image shows grindstones manufactured by Sackville Freestone Company Ltd. that are being shipped by rail.