Taken by the French 21 avril 1917 (≈ 1917)
French occupation began for 431 days.
27 mai 1918
End of French occupation
End of French occupation 27 mai 1918 (≈ 1918)
Retreat or loss of site.
29 décembre 1999
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 29 décembre 1999 (≈ 1999)
Registration by official order.
1er quart XXe siècle
Career construction
Career construction 1er quart XXe siècle (≈ 2025)
Period of operation and initial development.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Career (Case ZC 19): registration by order of 29 December 1999
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character named in the sources
Sources do not cite any specific individuals.
Origin and history
The Saint-Blaise quarry is a former mining operation located in Nanteuil-la-Fosse, in the department of Aisne, in the Hauts-de-France region. Dating from the 1st quarter of the 20th century, it is distinguished by its tower architecture and its strategic location on the Chemin des Dames, a key area during the First World War. The site was conquered by the French on 21 April 1917 and continued until 27 May 1918, serving as a refuge and a place of life for the soldiers.
The quarry houses an exceptional rock heritage, with 226 engraved traces, 197 of which were made by American soldiers in just 44 days. These engravings, including Masonic symbols, portraits, national emblems and religious representations, offer a poignant testimony to the aspirations and daily lives of the combatants. The Germans, despite an occupation of 1063 days, left only one trace, while the French, present 431 days, engraved six.
Among the most notable are the works of the 26th American Division, nicknamed the Yankee Division, which left a variety of symbols: the United States coat of arms, a portrait of President Wilson, Uncle Sam, as well as Indian figures and crosses. Some pillars, densely carved, associate names of soldiers with Masonic symbols or a mailbox, illustrating the diversity of artistic and cultural expressions in wartime.
Ranked a historic monument by decree of 29 December 1999, the Saint-Blaise quarry is now protected for its heritage and memorial value. Its state of conservation and its approximate location (noted 4/10 precisely) make it a site that is both fragile and full of history, accessible via the hamlet of Mennejean in Nanteuil-la-Fosse.
