[PRCo] Blocks

[Bob Rathke]

My blocks are individually rough hewn, and there are no markings on them.
These blocks were probably installed in the street around 1900-1920 -
perhaps more recent blocks were cast or otherwise produced to include an
imprint.

Bob 12//30/04

-----------------------------
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <hrbran99 at adelphia.net>
To: <pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org>
Sent: Thursday, December 30, 2004 1:57 PM
Subject: [PRCo] Re: belgian__block__&__cobble


> --I remember looking at some of the blocks during a street reconstruction
project on Hazelwood Avenue in the late 1970's. I recall that the name
"Belgium" was embossed on the block plus a manufacturer was also embossed on
the block. If my recollection is correct this may support the definition of
a "style" of block as Jim spoke about. Would someone with some of these
blocks please look at them to seem what is embossed on the block.
>
> I also remember that, during this construction project, the Pittsburgh
Police watched the stacks of blocks on Hazelwood near Bigelow Street (where
I lived) and caught several people trying to steal them.
> HrB
>
> ---- "James B. Holland" <PRCoPCC at P-R-Co.com> wrote:
> > James B. Holland wrote:
> >
> > > Wellllll,  as  I  said::
> > >
> > > ""Ok -- not background, but daffynition.""
> > >
> > > Donut Know  --  dictionary doesn't give a hint -- if it does, I am not
> > > following oop!!!       Had a big discussion about this right here some
> > > time back and difference with cobbles.
> >
> >
> > Did a Giggle search and most hits were lite documentaries of where such
> > streets exist.       Belgian block used prolifically in
> > landscaping.       One university site mentioned that Belgian is a
> > *style*  of block, not place of origin  --  but don't know how factual
> > that is.       Didn't find anything beyond that.
> >
> > Jim
> >
> > > John Swindler wrote:
> > >
> > >>
> > >> But way "Belgium"? So what's the rest of the story??
> > >>
> > >> The implication is that such blocks were prevalent as paving in
> > >> Belgium town(s) at an early date. The emphasis is on implication.
> > >>
> > >> js
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>> From: "James B. Holland" <PRCoPCC at P-R-Co.com>
> > >>> Reply-To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> > >>> To: - 1714 PRCo__WP__JTC - <pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org>
> > >>> Subject: [PRCo] belgian__block__&__cobble
> > >>> Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2004 16:50:42 -0800
> > >>>
> > >>> -----Original Message-----
> > >>> Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 9:43 AM
> > >>> To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> > >>> Subject: [PRCo] Re: T3 in Pittsburgh
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> --- John Swindler <j_swindler at hotmail.com> wrote:
> > >>>
> > >>> > Wasn't Second Ave. 'Belgium blocks'??
> > >>>
> > >>> I always heard it as "Belgian blocks" (not that that is much
> > >>> different) and yes, I believe Second Ave. was.
> > >>>
> > >>> > (and if anyone can explain the background on that term, I'd be
> > >>> glad to hear it).
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> Berry, Berry Simple:::::::
> > >>>
> > >>> Webster's Third New International Dictionary:::::::
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> belgian block:: a stone paving block cut as a truncated pyramid with
> > >>> base 5 to 6 inches square, depth 7 to 8 inches, and the face
> > >>> opposite the base not more than 1 inch smaller than the base; also
> > >>> :: any stone paving block.
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> Ok -- not background, but daffynition.
> > >>>
> > >>> I-F they hadn't added those 4 Leetle Werds at the end of the
> > >>> definition the Pick--Nickers could have a field day eliminating
> > >>> stones from the classification according to size -- or lack
> > >>> thereof!!!!!!!
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>> 3Cobble 1a : a naturally rounded stone larger than a pebble and
> > >>> smaller than a boulder often arbitrarily limited by geologists to a
> > >>> size ranging from 64 to 256 millimeters in diameter b : such a stone
> > >>> used in paving a street or in other construction
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>> cobblestone : 3cobble
> > >>>
> > >>> Webster doesn't give definition of cobblestone beyond seeing 3cobble
> > >>> so apparently saying *cobblestone* is redundant, not unlike saying
> > >>> *cobble__stone__stone.*
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> Jim__Holland
> > >>
> >
> >
>
>