Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Stone Masons

A long time ago a stone mason built a stone fireplace at our old resort, it was falling apart, we repaired it the best we could.   It was a beautiful fireplace with a metal door and a tall chimney.  We put wire racks above the fire box.  It would roast a few marshmallows or fry up a couple of hot dogs.  I must have an old photo of it someplace.
I found one!
Marvin and the fireplace
Far Guy’s Dad Marvin fixing a picnic table/ bench…you can see someone has started a fire in the outdoor fireplace…I think Far Guy is back behind the fireplace breaking up some small sticks of wood…or goofing off. Photo taken by me in August 1989 Pine Springs Resort, Osage Township, Becker County Minnesota.
Boat House August 1989
The whole foundation of the boat house at the resort was stone.  We think that a stone mason stayed and worked at the resort and the surrounding area in the 1920’s.  Some of the driveways at the resort had stone walls…right outside our home was about a three foot high stone wall…it was a great place for snakes so I never sat there.
Arvilla and Carl had a stone piece in their yard.  They moved here in 1953 and the structure was there when they moved in.  ( Carl and Arvilla lived right across the road from the resort. Jolynn and Steve live there now.)
IMG_8560
Arvilla always planted it with Red Geraniums…and Jolynn is carrying on the tradition.
Arvilla's Flowers
I think this might have been a wishing well at one time…or a fountain or a bird bath/flower planter.  The top has been repaired.  It was more than likely built in the 1920’s to 1930’s.
Refuge
Over at Tamarac Wildlife Refuge one of the picnic areas has a stone wall.
Stone work at Linnell Cemetery
Over at Linnell Cemetery there are stone walls at the main entrance.

There are a few other places where old stone work can be seen.  I should probably photograph them all.  One of the nearby “estates” has a stone porch and several stone buildings….I suppose in the name of history I could get myself invited over for coffee.  
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21 comments:

Cathie said...

My grandfather hand carried stones to build a church just outside of Morris, MN. It's a beautiful old church and was still standing the last time I was there. I love stone architecture.

Cynthia said...

I think river rock fireplaces are things of great beauty. The rocks are smooth and warm and all different. My aunt and uncle who had a cabin Up North in Wisconsin on the Moose River had a huge two story river Rock fireplace and they always had some rock project they were working on. I used to love picking out "pretty rocks" from the River for them to use . I'm sure I was a big help! Thanks for the memory, Connie.

linda m said...

Someone really did some good work. A lot of skilled craftsmen are becoming a thing of the past. How I would love to have that round "planter" in my yard. Thanks for sharing these pictures with us.

The Furry Gnome said...

You're right, must a been a stone mason around for awhile!

Tired Teacher said...

Do you think the work could have been done in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)? The stonework is beautiful.

Linda W. said...

Nice stonework! Loved your photos.

Far Side of Fifty said...

For the most part I don't think so, perhaps the rock walls /fence at the refuge, the others are all on private land.

Country Gal said...

Very much like the stone buildings and fencing's you see in the UK . All so very lovely and a lot of hard work had been done there to ! Lovely post and photos , Thanks for sharing , Have a good day !

Gail said...

I do love stone and stone work.

At my last house I did a lot of stone work but here I don't seem to find the time even to repair what we have.

Karen said...

I too love stone walls. I think more the ones in the last photo more then the river rock ones. I'd think it was easier to build the last type as well, as you could use stones that fit closer together. Wish I could ask my dad, he was a bricklayer and did a bit of stone work too.

Rita said...

Stonework has such character! I didn't know there was so much around there. :)

Red said...

You found some fine examples of stone work. It was used here but not as much. Here you'd have to work harder to get rocks.

Jacqi Stevens said...

Stone fences well done can be beautiful. But if I lived in snake country, I think I would forego that sort of luxury...

Far Side of Fifty said...

Garter Snakes, not poisonous but a snake none the less. :)

Linda Reeder said...

I was thinking as you were telling about the stone walls how nice it would be to sit on them, and than you said "snakes!". It took me a while to appreciate all the rest of the stone work. :-)

Anonymous said...

Interesting post to read. Such a beautiful craft. The planter looks wonderful with the red geraniums.

Saku said...

I love the stone work, it is nearly a lost art. My brother lives in a century old house built with stone. The basement walls are four feet thick, while the main and second floor walls are three feet thick. I love sitting in one of the windows or even better on the front porch (though it's not made of stone).

Linda said...

There's a lot of stonework around these parts...everything from fireplaces to houses. I love the plant pot though...can't see as I've ever seen anything quite like it.

Anonymous said...

The stonework is very pretty. JoLynn's geraniums are beautiful.

DJan said...

The geraniums are set off perfectly by the stones. Interesting to wonder if all the nearby stone work is done by the same person. Just couldn't stop, I guess. :-)

Sam I Am...... said...

I love stone work and there is a lot of it down here too. I prefer the field stone work like yours. Here it is Arkansas stone which is flat. It is amazing how they did it especially the walls that were built by just stacking them with no mortar. Thank you for the pictures!