Guest Author - Brenda Potter Reynolds

Rich and Sue Freeman have written several books about New York State, including Take A Paddle - Finger Lakes and 200 Waterfalls in Central and Western New York. Their latest, Cobblestone Quest - Road Tours of New York’s Historical Buildings, is a handsome book about cobblestone buildings in New York State.

The book includes a section about cobblestones, including what they are, where they come from, the history of cobblestone buildings, architectural styles, and how to spot a cobblestone building.

The second section includes 17 tours, complete with maps and detailed directions. The tours are located within a 65-mile radius of Rochester, where, according to the Freeman's, over 90% of cobblestone buildings in the United States are located. (The reason for this is explained in the first section.)

Each tour takes you to cobblestone houses, businesses, schools, as well as museums and restaurants.

A third section has a handy list of cobblestone museums, bed and breakfasts, restaurants, antique shops, and galleries that are located on the tours, which is handy

Like the Freeman’s other books, this one is thoughtfully laid out and detailed. The cover has several beautiful color photos of cobblestone buildings, but unfortunately, the inside photos are only black-and-white.

For anyone interested in cobblestones, this is an excellent book. Even if you are not particularly into cobblestones, you’ll enjoy the tours, and you just may find yourself becoming quite fond of these unique and attractive buildings.

Book Review: Cobblestone Quest - Road Tours of New York’s Historical Buildings
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Footprint Press, Inc.
Date Published: July 2005
ISBN-10: 1930480199
ISBN-13: 978-1930480193

Cobblestone Quest

For more on the Freeman’s other books, see

200 Waterfalls in Central and Western New York

Footpress Press