The Wall

I'm not a gardner.  If the lawnmower can reach it... it gets cut down.  But I do appreciate the time and effort that goes into a nice garden.  And I especially appreciate the effort that goes into a project such as this one just beyond Southridge off Corridor G,  as it really is amazing:

*100,000 Hand Laid Stones

Every rock you see in the following photos was hand laid by one man over a 4 year period.

 

Looking at this angle, it's a typical West Virginia scene.  It's what's behind the buildings that's amazing...

 

Photos cant capture the magnitude of the wall.  It extends far beyond this photo.  It consists of about 7 walkable tiers, each one planted with different species.  But notice that the wall is not just one type of stone...

 

Starting at the bottom is concrete curbing, then brick. The next level is chunks of asphalt from an old street project.  Then you have a little man made stone, and above that mostly natural sandstone.  Throw in some Limestone here and there and you have quite a wall.  Each piece set in place one at a time by one man.

 

Starting with one of the lower tiers, you can see the amount of work involved.

 

Moving up a bit, notice not only the large rocks, but the many tiny rocks stuffed in between.

 

And when you run into an outcropping of boulders, what do you do?  You take your sledgehammer and beat it into submission,  thereby making your own rocks for the wall.  One..at..a..time.  All the while you're building walkways.

 

This view looking down from the top shows the tiers and the setback.

Another view from the top. These photos were taken in early April.  By July there will be much more growth.

 

 

Showing the wall to the left side of the house.

 

Everything you've seen in these photos (and lots more you don't see) was all built by one man.  95% of everything you've seen was recycled material.  It's not that he's a huge conservation guy,  it's just that he thinks like men of old... where you save material and re-use it whereever possible.  Another interesting fact is that the house itself started out to be a large barn-workshop,  but due to recent flooding in the area he decided to turn it into a house about halfway through.  He then built two more workshops nearby.  If you'd like to see this property,  just get on old 214 at Ruthlawn and head south.  At the bottom of the hill look to your right across the creek.   I wouldnt advise entering the property unannounced by the way.   If you need more information, contact me.

( *This figure could be much more....)

 

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