OUR STORY
We consider each piece of art an undeniable expression of self. Much like the centuries-old names etched into stone often found in local caves, bluffs, etc., our products remain intact for centuries, left for future generation to marvel at.
ABOUT
MCDONALD STONE CO.
McDonald Stone was founded by a family-owned conglomerate intent on celebrating life, personality, identity, and culture.
Our artisans value uniformity, aesthetic coherence, and individual identity foremost. Each stone art piece undergoes significant preparation, offering a myriad of color, substrate, and design options.
2001
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
Founding of McDonald Stone Co.
Our story begins in 2001 with an unfortunate start: the death of a beloved family member. A search for monuments led to pushy salesmen and generic-seeming machined products with little personal identity, usually etched chemically by unconcerned employees. Rather than feeling discouraged, we elected to create something truly unique. Using a series of chisels, a ton of saw blades, and a few now-proprietary tools borrowed from other projects, we crafted our first memorial signage from local, native Missouri stone.
2011
PRESERVING YOUR LEGACY
Featured in
The Cattleman's Advocate
"Ralls County residents Randy and Lola McDonald, who keep busy at farming, cattle production, and pipeline contracting from their home base at Madisonville, have paved their way into yet another enterprise by sandblasting stone monuments that help clients leave a lasting mark on the rural landscape."
- Susan Denkler
Special to The Advocate
2016
THROUGH GENERATIONS
MSC'S
2nd Design Office
Located in historic Madisonville, Mo. in the home built by Lola McDonald's great grandparents in 1911.
The
"Old Pear Tree"
What was once a burgeoning orchard planted by Lola’s relatives on the family century farm, one last pear tree remains. Each fall, after the first frost, guests visiting the design office in the 1911 home were invited to take a short walk through the yard to pick a pear from a tree decades old.
The “old pear tree” still persists with a hollowed trunk and fractal reflections cascading through low-hanging branches still producing fruit. A treasure enjoyed by many generations.
Featured in
Ralls County Herald-Enterprise
September 22, 2016
2017
EXPANDING OUR BUSINESS
Featured in
Rural Missouri Magazine
"They stand as sentinels along the roadside or a winding pathway, silently heralding a surname and address. Some proudly showcase detailed business logos, while others share peaceful images and messages of remembrance for those who've passed on. Some are vast in size, while others, less so. Randy and Lola McDonald have taken what was once a 'hobby with a waiting list' and sandblasted their way into the stone sign market with McDonald Stone Co. in Center."
-Heather Berry
MSC's first Logo
Designed by Cole McDonald
Customer outreach was overwhelming. Our waiting list soon spanned many months in advance; It was time to expand.
Featured in
HERALD-WHIG
"They work hard to ensure a quality product is sent to customers. And when business picked up considerably the last few years, they spent nearly 12 months looking at the best places to expand.
Within the next few weeks, things will be finalized for the McDonalds to purchase land south of Hannibal along U.S. 61 to establish a new walk-in design showroom and office, large stone inventory and retail shop."
Entering a significant phase of expansion.
Land purchased for our Design Office.
C. 1820s
Reconstruction of Carstarphen Log Cabin
James E. Carstarphen
"James E. Carstarphen was born in Ralls County, MO on January 22, 1828. He was born to a relatively poor family of farmers. His father was elected the Ralls County Sheriff when James was six years old. The family moved to the county seat of New London, MO in 1834. For the years that they lived in town, James was educated by Samuel K. Caldwell, who, along with Joel K. Shaw, laid out the town of Louisiana in 1818."