Antique Granite

A Passion for Antique Granite

At Rye Beach Landscaping, we have a deep appreciation for antique granite. There’s something special about it—something that makes you pause and reflect on the craftsmanship it took to hand-chisel each stone for a foundation, curb, or cobbled street. New Hampshire didn’t earn the nickname “The Granite State” by accident. For generations, its quarries supplied high-quality stone to the growing mills and cities of Portsmouth, Manchester, and Concord. Today, antique granite stands as a cornerstone of our region’s history.

Rescuing and Reimagining the Past

Whenever we’re involved in the excavation or demolition of a historic property, we’re always on the lookout for granite worth saving. Our stone masons are not only skilled in modern construction—they’re experienced in the careful restoration and reuse of antique stone. Whether it’s an old hitching post repurposed into a wall anchor, or weathered flats becoming part of a garden path or a set of granite steps, we love giving this historic material new life.

A Recognized Commitment to History

Our passion for preserving antique granite has earned us recognition from several historic district commissions throughout the New Hampshire seacoast, including the Portsmouth Historic Commission. In towns like Portsmouth, where most of the original granite came from Durham, the old cobbles are even affectionately known as “Durham pavers.”

A Walk Through History

We’ve had the privilege of rebuilding two of the oldest walkways in Portsmouth—Haymarket Square and Washington Street. Haymarket Square, located across the street from the home of John Paul Jones, was especially meaningful. As we restored the antique granite path, we couldn’t help but imagine the early American naval hero walking those same stones—perhaps even while humming what would become the Star-Spangled Banner.

Help Us Preserve New Hampshire’s Stone Heritage

If you’re planning a demolition project and uncover hand-hewn foundation stones, don’t just haul them away—call us first. We’d be honored to preserve those rugged, beautiful pieces of New Hampshire history and rehome them into another landscape where they’ll be admired for generations to come.