Residents living in the New England region have likely stumbled upon a stone wall at some point or another. As the area’s leading paving contractors, the team from Beausoleil & Sons has taken a keen interest in the magnificent manmade structures winding their way through nearby forests. The Cranston, RI-based paving company dug a little deeper to find out more about the region’s fascinating walls made from natural materials.

It’s easy to assume the rocks within these walls are a few hundred years old at most. In reality, their origins extend tens of thousands of years into history and actually have glacial origins. Some 15,000 to 30,000 years ago, the Laurentide ice sheet drifted southwards from Canada, removing the final remnants of ancient soil from New England lands.

As it moved across the region, it also deposited colossal bodies of rock, including granite, slate, and clay. The smaller, looser rocks it left behind – called melt out – still comprise the rock walls found in many of New England’s forests today.

So, when were these rock formations first constructed? It wasn’t until the late 1700s to early 1800s, surprisingly. Prior to that, early settlers used wooden pens to corral their livestock and section off areas of farmland.

When the rocks were originally uncovered as a result of deforestation, they were actually perceived as more of a nuisance than anything. To prevent them from disrupting farming efforts, farmers and their sons would gather the rocks and transport them to the edge of their property.

After the Revolutionary War, property owners began to see the practical use for these stone borders. It was around this time American pride thrived, and part of being a proud citizen meant owning ample land. Thus, rock wall property lines were built.

The Industrial Revolution drove many farmers into cities, but you can still behold their fabulous walls hundreds of years later. Just as the walls remain, so too does the pride in owning a piece of New England property. Allow the area’s leading paving contractors to keep your land beautiful with a freshly paved driveway. Call (401) 632-0203 to speak with an associate from Beausoleil & Sons today. You can also visit their website or Facebook page for more information.