Mounting Stone Recovery Project

Mounting Stone Recovery Project
"Saving Jamesburg History, One Stone at a Time"

The Jamesburg Historical Association has recently acquired a nineteenth century mounting stone from 190 Buckelew Avenue, future home of Family Dentistry. In April 2005, the stone was discovered sticking out onto Buckelew Avenue by Borough Historian Thomas C. Bodall. Upon further inspection and uncovering in May 2005, it was determined that this large rock was indeed a granite mounting stone, which at one time every home in Jamesburg possessed. When horse and buggy were the main source of transportation, these mounting stones were essential in assisting carriage riders a step down before the ground. The owners of the property gave permission for the Jamesburg Historical Association to obtain the stone for Lakeview Mansion because sidewalks and curbing was being put in, meaning that the stone would have been lost forever if not removed. Thanks to John Czapiga, owner of Gray Rock Supply in Jamesburg, the stone was lifted May 11, 2005 and placed in front of the mansion, as it would have been in the late 1800s, on October 1, 2005.

The Jamesburg Historical Association is looking to acquire a hitching post to go along with the mounting stone, in an effort to recreate an authentic and very common streetscape for Buckelew Avenue in the late 1800s. If you know of an old hitching post, either concrete or iron, and are willing to donate it to the Jamesburg Historical Association, please contact Borough Historian Thomas C. Bodall at webmaster@jamesburg.net or by phone, 732-521-2040, and leave a message.