By Mary Magdelena

Redstone Review

HYGIENE – In the heart of Lyons Sandstone Country we have a solid as a rock character, Robert Phillips. He was born and raised in the area of Boulder County, bought some land on Colorado Highway 66 just north of Hygiene and built his home in 1968. Four years later he was joined by his present wife Frankie Martindale, joining two families each having two children ages 9 to 16.

It was in his high school years during a summer vacation that Phillips first worked for Colorado Stone, where he fell in love with the entire process of working with rock. Selling rock out of his own home until Boulder County objected to his home-based rock business. He then leased his present stone yard from Dale Stuart for 26 years before Stuart was ready to sell it. This property has been a stone yard for over 100 years. It is just directly east of U.S. Highway 36 and nestles it’s backside up to the St.Vrain River. Robert Phillips and Frankie Martindale worked it together for 8 years, until Frankie decided to take care of her grandkids instead. Robert’s love of the outdoors and running his own business has kept him quite occupied and happy for all these years. He loves every aspect of working with stone from quarrying, to cutting and then selling it. Romero Rivera has been his right hand yard man for over 25 years now, doing all of the cutting of stone now. Robert’s son Joe Phillips runs the quarry and to his great delight his granddaughter, Kendra Smith, now works with him at the stone yard.

Over 35 years of serving the public at Phillips Stone Yard has taken a toll on Robert’s health. Skin cancer from daily exposure to the elements has weakened his body yet not his spirit! He’s always  welcoming and pleasant to do business with Robert. His love of the stone shines through his work. He is especially fond of the pieces of stone called Dendrite, ones that have a fern like pattern etched into them. He proudly displays them right outside his office door. He had a matching pair of dendrite stone that Frankie had her eye on to embellish a new patio she was planning. After years of refusing to sell them he let them go to a high offer…what a disappointment for Frankie, yet the hunt for a new pair always adds to the adventure of quarrying!

Most days you will find Robert at the stone yard, Frankie and Kendra too, they are adding a woman’s touch to the office. Mornings are best for catching Robert, sometimes that home cooked lunch also finds him resting on the couch during the afternoons. If you want to meet a man who has passion for his work, drop by the Phillips Stone Yard on Hw 66, or if it has been a while since you said hello, he would love to see you.

Each month this column will feature stories about people, businesses and happenings in Hygiene. If you want to contribute information about Hygiene please contact Mary Magdalena, local artist and resident of Hygiene, at 303-652-4004 or go to mary@marymagdalena.com.

Back to Top