Granite Curbing for Cobble Stone Driveway

At some point during this project our client decided upon a cobble stone driveway to replace the failing asphalt driveway. Our parameters were that we use the correct material for the site( granite or porphyry), the materials must be from USA origins, and feel timeless. So after getting samples form all over the USA,we had to choose between new or reclaimed. The new material felt 'dead', was all the same dimensionally & texturally, and really had no personality yet. We liked a reclaimed granite from Massachusetts best because of it's historical context, personality, color range, texture, and size.We chose to purchase our material from Stone Farm( www.stonefarmliving.com ) in Massachusetts. We also purchased reclaimed curbing to hold our cobbles in on the downhill side of the driveway. 

So once our materials began to arrive....

We began unloading our materials in 20 ton containers... needing 120 tons for the project.We separated the materials and hauled them back to our sit.From there we excavated the hillside, established finished elevation of curbing and new cobblestone driveway, and poured a 70' long grade beam with re bar.

Two of my helpers after school, Devin Trub on left & Noah Beardsley-my son on right,
myself Russ Beardsley in center.
Grade beam at left...

Last week we finished installing this beautiful reclaimed granite. Most pieces arrived 7' long by 6" thick at the top of face to 12" at base, by 18" tall. We had to feather and wedge each piece to accommodate their new home. Our little MT-52 was easily able to pick up each piece of granite and manipulate it in place hanging from a chain choker. We will install our below grade drainage pipes and back fill along the front, and install soil for fill along the back to accommodate new plantings.


It is really great to be working with dry stone retaining walls & fences, a cobble stone driveway, and mortared elements all within this one area for this project. Personally I love the challenges this job has presented for Borrowed Ground because it has really pushed me to reevaluate how I work in the landscape for clients, work more in traditional wet masonry, and work with materials that don't exist here in the Pacific Northwest.