Cobblestone Structures

    Unique to Wayne County and surrounding area is the cobblestone structure.  Cobblestones are small, rounded, smooth stones left by the glacier, which were placed in rows of mortar to construct buildings.  The cobblestones were found when farmers cleared their land for crops and also 
during the Erie Canal construction.  Even though the structures were unique in design, the most important feature to the owner of the building was that it was fireproof.  The octagonal shaped building shown in the picture on this page was once a blacksmith shop.

    Masons, the people who made the cobblestone structures, were secretive about how they planned and constructed these buildings, so many people say it is a lost art.  There are over 150 cobblestone structures in Wayne County.  A large number of them can be found between Sodus Point and Ontario on Lake Road and Ridge Road.