Stone Wall

The history of stone walls, also known as stone fences, is rich in Kentucky. Winding throughout the hills of the Kentucky Bluegrass, you can still see the historic stone fences dotted along out landscapes.

These walls, like the one here at Locust Grove, are crafted from native limestone, and are more than just functional boundaries, but living examples of the craftsmenship of the 18th & 19th centuries.

Believed to have been brought to North America by Scots-Irish immigrants, the dry stonewall technique is a traditional masonry practice where stones are meticulously fitted together without mortar. This method, honed and perfected over centuries, allowed for beautiful, sturdy walls that could withstand the elements for generations.

Stone walls like this one were preferred over wooden split rails or fencing because of their unique range of benefits:

• It requires minimal tools yet creates structures that are remarkably durable
• If they are damaged they are easily repaired
• They resist fire, water, and insects
• If correctly designed, they are earthquake resistant
• The work does not deplete other natural resources
• They are much more aesthetically pleasing