Not Just a Rock—Discover the Historical Purpose of These Sidewalk Oddities
November 6, 2024
Source: FB / Scott Latzky
So, true story, there was a lumpy stone that popped out of the sidewalk in front of my grandmother’s house, and I would trip over it every time. Every single time. Like clockwork. And I’d always think, ‘Why is that even there? And then I’d forget about it … until my shin got hit again.
Ultimately, I concluded, Perhaps it is just an old construction mess? Or maybe the universe wanted to ensure I got knocked down a peg. (Both felt equally possible.)
But nope. Well, it would seem that “random rock” has a narrative. And it’s honestly kinda cool. And I am by the sidewalk rock theological reason, because, yes, there is one.
Sidewalk Rock Historical Purpose: A Carriage-Era Necessity Before Uber
So here’s what I found out. There was nothing accidental about those stones being there. These were not roadworks remnants. And outside of some really talented raccoons, this wasn’t their doing, either.
In the old days — by which I mean before horse-drawn carriages, let’s say — those rocks in the sidewalk were carriage steps or mounting stones. In other words, stepping stones, to prevent people from falling flat on their faces while getting in and out of carriages.
Imagine clambering down from a high carriage in a corset and layers of petticoats, as well as a huge hat. Not exactly a graceful exit. Yes, a large chunk of rock was kind of the street corner MVP there.
Suddenly, it was, “Here ya go, ma’am, put your boot here and step down like a lady.” Whether it was cavalier or not, those rocks saved a million ankles.
The Sidewalk Rock Historical Purpose as a Symbol of Status and Style
And people are show-offs, so some of them fancied theirs up. We’re talking gaudy, custom stones with your monogram or an etched pattern. Some were even engraved with their initials, he said, as if to say, “Yeah, this rock is mine.”
It was half functional, half flex. If’n yore own house had one o’ them carriage stones, yor doin purt good. So to speak, like parking a luxury car in your driveway in the 1800s. Except this one didn’t have wheels.” Or a horn. But still—impressive.
Still Standing, Still Ignored
So how is it that some of these rocks survived?
Because nobody moved them. That’s really it.
They just … sort of became a part of everything. They got stepped on and tripped over (hello, that was me again) and no one ever thought twice. In older neighborhoods, they have even become almost a relic. Local historical associations just can’t get enough of them. They are sort of like the dog-eared pages in the story of a town.
And honestly? MAKLE HIT that on the world anymore, I feel that’s kinda nice. Sitting right there on the sidewalk, minding its own business — and your own — a reminder, too, that not everything old gets wiped away.
Tripping Hazard or Time Machine?
Next time you see one of those odd little rocks in the sidewalk, look twice. This wasn’t your run-of-the-mill city planner’s mistake. Someone had probably stepped upon that same rock 150 years ago, wearing leather boots or hobnailed shoes, on the way to a market or walking home from church.
Hell, for all we know some little shit could have scaled it playing cowboy. Maybe someone’s first kiss happened by its side. Maybe someone even said, “Whoa there!” to a real, flesh-and-blood horse that stands directly next to it. You never know.
So yeah, not just a rock. It’s a breadcrumb from another century. An underground murmur of history.
Final Thought (Okay, I’ll Get Off My Soapbox)
I love how you learn how the everyday is not the everyday. And that’s what this is. Just a rock? Hardly. It had a job. It saw things. It helped people. And now it’s enabling me to nerd out in the best possible of nerdly ways.
So watch your step. But also — thank the rock, maybe.