The sunken Hutchinson carriage block as originally sited following its return from the Central Terminal.
Images Courtesy of the Author
In July of 2024, Linwood Avenue resident Rob Seth (who, with his wife, operates Oscar’s Inn) took on the task of preparing to raise the sunken carriage stone along the sidewalk of 296 Linwood Avenue, the site of the former Edward Hutchinson Mansion. The project had been in his mind for a few years, since hearing the curious story of the stone’s travels as told by Charles “Chip” Rogers, E.H. Hutchinson’s great, great grandson. Chip had also shared Maria Scrivani’s article, titled, “Who Was Edward H. Hutchinson (And Why Is That Name So Familiar?),” which appeared in the Fall 2022 issue of Western New York Heritage, which added to the intrigue.
After a few half-days of prep, digging ‘pilot’ holes on each side to accommodate a farm jack, fellow neighbor Tony Favorito offered his assistance and was gladly added to the effort. A full day was spent raising, cribbing, repeating, then back-filling to shore up the stone to the proper height. Then, after assembling enough hose and extension cords, a final pressure-washing brought out the long-patinaed, signature red hue of the Medina sandstone. (The blue tape in accompanying pictures indicates the level the stone was raised from.)
The block is jacked up prior to inserting fill underneath.
Presumably, the carriage stone would have originally been located closer to the street, near the curb, as its purpose was to assist riders and travelers in their mounting of a horse and boarding a carriage. Its present location at the top of the walkway and steps terminating at the garden fence is the result … of its previous adventure...
As best recollected, the stone – originally sitting street side on Linwood – was inadvertently scooped up by a city front-end loader cleaning up after a Buffalo blizzard in the 1990’s, as it was hidden in the snow. After noticing the stone was missing and inquiring where it may have been moved, it was feared dumped in Lake Erie or in the Black Rock Canal at the end of Porter Avenue, which was a common local practice. While visiting the Buffalo Central Terminal the following spring to explore potential terminal re-development plans, by which time much of the snow had melted, Tim Tielman noticed and recognized the Hutchinson stone and the address “296” etched on each end. The stone was returned to its rightful location, but rather than place it by the curb, the decision was made to set it at its now prominent spot at the top of the remaining steps. It was centered amidst the sandstone garden wall – together, the remnants of the long-gone mansion that was once home to the Hutchinson family. A missing corner of the stone at bottom front right and a smaller shaving on top is presumed to be a souvenir of its travels.
The project finished: the cleaned carriage block after being raised.
