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.



The stone sticking out on Bucklew Avenue in April 2005.
The stone sticking out on Bucklew Avenue in April 2005.

The stone fully uncovered May 9, 2005.
The stone fully uncovered May 9, 2005.

Removing the stone May 11, 2005.
Removing the stone May 11, 2005.

Lifting the stone May 11, 2005.
Lifting the stone May 11, 2005.

Placing the stone on a pallet May 11, 2005.
Placing the stone on a pallet May 11, 2005.

Loading the stone and pallet on the truck May 11, 2005.
Loading the stone and pallet on the truck May 11, 2005.

Preparing to unload the stone and place it in front of the mansion on October 1, 2005.
Preparing to unload the stone and place it in front of the mansion on October 1, 2005.

Lowering the stone into place October 1, 2005.
Lowering the stone into place October 1, 2005.

The finished stone October 2, 2005.
The finished stone October 2, 2005.

The finished stone October 2, 2005.
The finished stone October 2, 2005.

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