Wooden cobbles
August 16th, 2011
“The streets of London were once paved with end grain cobbles and end grain flooring has been used widely in engineering and other industries because of its durability,”
Next to Braithwaite House are wooden cobbles, blocks of wood on end, as seen in butchers’ blocks, a small square of them within a cobbled lane to the left of Braithwaite House in Bunhill Row in the City of London. Fascinating.
UPDATE: – 30/3/12 – I’ve found some more. Walking up Pentonville Road towards the Angel, on the left just after the junction with Penton Street I walked behind a car waiting to pull out from the layby outside 98-100 Pentonville Road and there beneath gaps in the tarmac, are wooden cobbles. If I’ve got the address wrong then they are not far from there, check the adjacent lay bys outside buildings there in case I’ve got the number wrong.
I found several bare patches, and touched them to be sure. I’m surprised the tarmac sticks to them at all to be frank and it would be much nicer if it were to be removed and the ends varnished, what a lovely sight that would be.
Very similar to what I saw in Brighton Sussex
Please tell me where, preferably with two street names or easy identification. Thanks.
From David Harris by email on 31/3/2012:-
Under tarmac at tiny 5 or 6 car park on the north end of the park that runs between the n/s road into town (A23) Lewis rd. Often called ‘setts’ in UK found when digging up rds. Have also seen hand stacked lime stone as a base for roads and footwalks under modern tarmac here in Lincolnshire.
Been furnishing and installing end grain flooring for over 65 years. Recently completed a street in Chicago. Very good shots. Please take more. Norm Kaswell
Been in the wood block business for over 65 years. Recently built a street in Chicago with end grain blocks. Wonderful history. Norm Kaswell