Tyrone stone is a local limestone found around the Kentucky River palisades in the Inner Bluegrass. It’s known for its bright white tone as it ages, durability, and “birdseye” texture. Popular among Central Kentucky builders for centuries, in the 20th century it was particularly favored by architects like Hugh Meriwether.
The popular building stone, quarried from the cliffs of the Kentucky River Palisades, originates from Tyrone Limestone, a layer of rock formed during Kentucky’s Ordovician period.
Located near the Inner Bluegrass, particularly around the Tyrone community on the Woodford/Anderson County line, it was shaped by ancient marine life over 450 million years ago.
Tyrone stone is sometimes confused with Kentucky River marble. Kentucky River marble is a smooth, pale gray limestone that can be polished to a shiny finish. This stone was valued for its ability to polish to a shine and was often used for trim, columns, and interior features. It hails from the Oregon limestone formation and was quarried from numerous sites around the Bluegrass.
Tyrone stone is a heavier gray limestone with white spots known as “birdseyes,” which give it a speckled, white tone as it weathers. Generally more roughly cut, Tyrone stone is popular for exterior walls because of its strength and rustic look.
The Tyrone limestone formation draws its name from Tyrone, Kentucky. This community was named after County Tyrone in Ireland, from where early settler (and distiller) James Ripy hailed. Years later, Irish stone workers helped build the beautiful Tyrone rock walls and buildings still standing today.
Tyrone stone reflects the geological and cultural history of the Bluegrass region—formed in ancient seas, quarried by hand, and placed with care by early Kentuckians.
