My Cobblestone Courtyard

Yesterday, in my blog, I wrote about horseshoes and showed a photo of Martyn’s hoof standing on a cobblestone surface.  Today, I’d like to share with you a little bit about those cobblestones.  When I designed my stables, it was my desire to pave the courtyard between the three buildings with gorgeous, old cobblestone and with a bit of searching, the perfect supply was delivered to Bedford from Elizabeth, NJ.   

What many people don’t realize is that cobblestones originally found their way to this country during Colonial times upon large sailing ships coming over from Europe.  Before the voyage, these stone blocks were loaded onboard as ballast, keeping the ships upright and sea-worthy for the journey across the ocean.  Upon arrival, heavy cargo replaced the cobblestones and the ships sailed back to Europe.  And all those mountains of stones that were left behind were put to good use by early settlers as paving blocks.

Early roads were nothing but dirt or sometimes crushed oyster shells  – dusty in dry weather and muddy in wet.  By lining the streets with cobblestones, both problems were solved.  Eventually, asphalt paved over most cobblestone streets, providing for smoother roadways.  Today, most paving stones are quarried from Himalayan granite found in India.  However, occasionally, those wonderful, old original blocks are dug up and salvaged like these from Elizabeth.  And I just love the clippity-clop sound of my horses’ hooves on the stone surface. 

Comments

[Heidi]

Martha,

The cobblestones are wonderful! The stables are works of art. There is a small stone house that I pass every day on my way to work here in Maine and it reminds me of an English cottage. It's amazing what can be done with hardscaping these days, but it's nothing knew, now is it. Those Romans and Greeks knew how to do it up right! Thank you for sharing. I love the blog.

[deezie]

The Cobblestone is so beautiful, I can only imagine how amazing it sounds when the horses are on it. My husband and I made homemade cobblestone in our back and path area, but oh my they are not as nearly as beautiful as yours, so so pretty
deezie

[Trish]

There is something about cobblestone that makes my heart flutter! There's a museum in Dearborn, Michigan that I love to visit just to see the cobblestone streets. Oh no, your magnificent fence on my desktop will have to go on standby for awhile because your beautiful cobblestone courtyard is going up there now. Thanks! Trish

[Robin]

Good morning Martha,

I've learned something new today. I didn't know oyster shells had been used on roads. The cobblestones and barns are gorgeous!

[michael anthamatten]

Martha,
the cobblestone look so original to the space. Do you have a before shot? I would love to see it.
Thank you

Michael Anthamatten
Muskogee, Oklahoma

[Claudine]

I love the look of the cobblestones, and with the barn it is just perfect. Thanks for sharing
Claudine

[Linda Gail]

The cobblestone courtyard is beautiful and the stable looks like it has been there for a hundred years. I would love to return as one of your horses in my next life.

[Amy Garner]

I didn't know the ballast origin of cobblestones--and I grew up outside of DC where they were underfoot at most class field trips! Thanks again for teaching me something new! Yours are lovely and look like they've been there for centuries.

[Alex S.]

This looks wonderful. Are these what some also call Belgian block? Nantucket has beautiful and old cobblestone streets--likely due to the whaling ship industry there in the 1800s.

Alex, Stamford, Conn.

[mufti]

I am a recent discoverer of Martha Stewart. I just want to thank you for the fun and information you have provided. I enjoy everything.

[Amy Brown]

I just love cobblestone walks and streets. I live in Georgia and love to visit old Savannah GA where cobblestone streets still exist. Thanks for the information. Love your blog and really enjoy watching your show everyday.

[Linda]

So pretty! Beautifully designed! (just like your website and blog)

[Margie]

The beat of well trained horses on cobblestones, the echo through the courtyard. The sounds of tranquility. Don't bang those buckets.

[Polly]

I was born in a tiny little village that had cobblestone streets! I've always, always loved them. Blessings... Polly

[Jeff from Brick, NJ]

I think that the barn/stable that Martha has on her farm has to be one of the most beautiful buildings I have seen. The stones used to build it are magnificent, her horses are sure lucky to live in such an amazing home.

[Jan Erickson]

Hi Martha, What a facinating piece of history your cobblestones are. I had no Idea they came from Europe so many years ago. Are they made of granite and how were they made? They certainly are beautiful. I too love the clippity-clop sound of the horses hooves. It reminds me of old British movies. Thanks for sharing. Jan

[Barb]

I love the look of cobblestone streets. There is a small community in Ohio that still has cobblestones on part of thier streets. It is just gorgeous. I love the look with your stables.

[Bill (From Mount Desert Island, Maine)]

Dear Martha,

Wonderful, fascinating and informative blog (and accompanying photos) about your beautiful cobblestone courtyard! Thanks also for sharing a little of the rich history and origins of these functional and aesthetically desirable stones ... the beauty (and sounds, as you so fondly commented on) of which have often been romanticized ... whether via a Revolutionary Paul Revere ride or via the literary imagery of a Charles Dickens novel.

To those who may have visited Maine's incredible Acadia National Park (and in particular, Monument Cove) and its rugged, balsam pine tree-lined, pink granite shoreline, one can see how the endless surf and eons of time have broken down, shaped and polished these enormous granite boulders into the "gems" of the/our Atlantic. Did you know that many of Maine's cobbles were sent (via ship along with dried fish) in the mid-1800's to areas all over New England ... as well as to help pave Boston's Beacon Hill historic roads?!?

A wonderful book "The Rusticator's Journal - Essays About Mount Desert Island & Acadia National Park" (a collection of articles from the "Journal" of "Friends of Acadia") has included a wonderful chapter called "Our Cobblestone Treasury" about these beautiful, threatened (and thankfully, now protected) gems. Well worth a read by a warm fireside at your beloved "Skylands" ... or anywhere! Again, thanks very much, Martha (and staff) for sharing yet another fascinating article! Have a wonderful holiday ahead!

Cheers,
Bill
Northeast Harbor, Maine

[Jane Reynolds]

Holiday Greetings Martha and household, both two and four-legged!
I find that, when one is resourceful, mundane objects can be transformed into a thing of beauty. Your courtyard is a perfect example of how to change humble cobblestones into an art installation. Of course, the best part is that by re-using the cobblestones, you are "thinking GREEN" and, that, Martha, is a GOOD thing! Please give the horses an extra lump of sugar (my Dad prefers mints)... and a carrot for Christmas...
Happy Clippity Clops from a wintery Shaker Heights, Ohio

[Patricia Wilson]

Martha-
I live in Montana and don't have access to cobblestones (nor the money to pay for them), but wanted to achieve a similar look. We live in the Rocky Mountains, so rocks abound. Everytime I come across a large stone with a flat surface, I set it aside. I had a layer of pea gravel placed in the area between our house and garage/shop. I dug a hole for each stone and individually placed all of the stones as close to each other as possible (flat side up) to form a walkway. I have planted wooly thyme in the spaces between the stones. The stones now peak through the lush carpet of wooly thyme.

[Marcie]

Dear Martha,

I am not clever with words, nor am I wise about history and decor, but I want to thank you for sharing these things and teaching me a little about my country's history. I am told I am a descendant of the indentured iron workers of the Germanna Colonies of 1717 and I enjoy learning about the details of early America and your pictures and stories make my world a little better.