Backyard lot-line of stacked limestone
With the Biden/Ryan vice-presidential debate this Thursday, I bet you are thinking Danville, Kentucky is a highly political town? Well in my eyes it appears as a lovely quiet historic town that seldom has bouts with politicians. Now this post is about rocks - not about politics or the rocks that politicians love to metaphorically throw at each other. It's about rock walls.
There is an old section of Danville that has beautiful residential rock walls that were built probably in the early 1900s. Each wall has a dash of their own artistry. As to who were the masons, I cannot answer this. I only can stand and marvel at the workmanship.
Have a look below at a few of them.
Rock boulders implanted in a low cement wall
-- front yard lot line.
Rough limestone vertical rocks standing on large squares of stacked limestone rock
Low cement front lot-line wall implanted with rough vertical limestone rocks
Rough chunks of vertically stacked limestone on limestone squares
forming a wall on the side-lot line
How timely your post is. My wife and I just visited Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts. I must have mentioned how much I loved the stone walls a dozen times. The ones you posted are even more beautiful. The debates will now be more palpable with these photos in the back of my head.
ReplyDeleteRaining Iguanas -- Old Sturbridge Village -- a fantastic place to visit. I too love stone walls. I found these gems on a residential street where only the locals know they exist. Enjoy the debate. Thanks for the kind words -- barbara
DeleteWonderful pictures of rock walls such as I've never seen. I wonder if these are particular to that town or throughout the area -- especially the vertical rocks atop horizontal walls. Beautiful pictures, as always.
ReplyDeleteJune -- Good question. I've seen formal dressed rock on walls and fences in the area. Not the rugged vertical construction as these walls in Danville have. Perhaps there are some -- I just haven't run into them. Ky holds a vast amount of rock walls especially in central Kentucky. Thanks for the nice comment -- barbara
DeleteStone walls are one of my favorite things about Kentucky.
ReplyDeleteMichelle -- As a Kentuckian you are exposed constantly to the huge historic inventory of rock walls. They surely are beautiful and add to our landscapes -- thanks -- barbara
DeleteI love stone walls too. There are even a few stone walled houses around here.
ReplyDeleteBarbara -- I imagine your area would have some rock walls too as you are located by the Blue Ridge Parkway area which probably has lots of natural rock to work with. Natural materials contribute an earthiness to not only walls but the houses you mention in your comment. thanks -- barbara
DeleteYou can add my name to the list of people who love stone walls! I always associate them with New England. My grandparents had some really old ones on their farm. They're so appealing, especially the old ones that are somewhat worn and have lots of plan life growing on and from them ! I especially love the one in your first photo, while the rough limestone vertical rocks make those walls look downright medieval!
ReplyDeleteLaloofah -- Yes, your name is added. You mention that the limestone vertical rocks look medieval. We are both seeing them as looking very old to ancient. I thought they looked liked like the famous Stonehedge construction only smaller. -- thanks -- barbara
DeleteVertical rock walls....now, that's a first for me. As is the one with the rocks implanted in the front yard line. One of my favorite things about the State of Maine is their rock walls, but I think Kentucky may be a good competitor with their creativity. Thank you, Barbara.
ReplyDeleteNature Weaver -- It was a first for me to see this type of construction. It would be interesting to know about the masons that built the various walls. So often little is left in our common history to know how our material culture came about. -- thanks -- barbara
DeleteI like those vertical stones making a wall.
ReplyDeleteI know you are a rock man -- thanks barbara
ReplyDeleteI have seen quite a few rock walls in the Smokie Mountains that have been there for many years but these take the cake.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much interest in them, you just have to stop and stare. Most rockwalls that I see have been ROCKs piled one on top of the other. A feat in itself but these limestone vertical stones and the round stones placed on a wall are wonderful. Thanks for sharing that Barbara
Diane -- I believe the walls you mention are probably old stacked rock types. They are very beautiful on the landscapes. We have them here in Kentucky usually found in the rural farm areas. The walls in my photos were taken in the town of Danville in a residential area. I think they are from the early 1900s when an arts and crafts movement was afoot in our country. Maybe that would explain the artistic approach of these walls. The stacked rock walls are unusually from a time prior to this movement. thanks for the comment -- barbara
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