Retaining Wall Project Near Stroudsburg, PA (Saylorsburg Case Study)
This retaining wall project was completed in Saylorsburg, a short drive from Stroudsburg in the Pocono region. The goal was to stabilize and define both sides of a driveway while making their home more beautiful with traditional craftsmanship.
Project Overview
- Location: Saylorsburg (near Stroudsburg)
- Total length: approximately 200 feet
- Height: 1.5–2 feet
- Structure: three separate wall sections
- Materials: Pennsylvania bluestone with local boulders
Driveway retaining wall, Saylorsburg PA.
The Design Approach
As always, the goal here is to create something beautiful and enduring. To quote Roman Architect Marcus Vitruvius: utilitas, firmitas and venustas (that’s utility, strength and beauty).
Long, low retaining walls often fail because:
- base preparation is inconsistent
- stones are not properly tied together
- walls are built cheap and fast with a single wall face rather than building a proper dry stone wall
How the Wall Was Built
Here I am using a handset chisel to rock face a saw-cut piece of bluestone:
The wall was constructed using traditional dry stone wall methods.
Key elements included:
- Double-faced construction (two stones thick)
- Through stones tying both faces together
- Careful stone selection for stability and fit
- proper foundation
Even at a low height, these methods are critical. A wall that is 1–2 feet high can still fail, embarrassingly so. However Devine Escapes has been in business for 19 years–and not one of our walls has failed.
Here I’m using the same chisel to trim a couple inches from another stone so it fits nice and tight into the wall:
We shot both videos at the same jobsite, my wardrobe change was just because it was a warmer day.
Use of Bluestone and Local Boulders
Pennsylvania bluestone was used for the primary wall structure, providing:
- durability
- weight and stability
- a natural, regional appearance
Local boulders were used to provide visual interest, and also to visually unite the wall with its surroundings.
Why This Matters
Most retaining walls of this size are built quickly and cheaply, often without proper structure.
That usually leads to:
- movement over time
- separation between stones
- eventual failure
This wall was built to avoid those issues from the start, using methods that prioritize long-term performance over speed.
This project reflects the same retaining wall construction methods used for homeowners in Stroudsburg and throughout the Pocono region.
Retaining Walls in the Stroudsburg Area
Homes in and around Stroudsburg, including nearby areas like Saylorsburg, often deal with:
- sloped terrain
- drainage challenges
- freeze-thaw cycles
These conditions make proper stonework essential, even for smaller retaining walls.
Serving Stroudsburg and Surrounding Areas
Devine Escapes is based in Blakeslee and provides stone masonry services in:
- Stroudsburg
- East Stroudsburg
- Saylorsburg
- and throughout the Pocono region
Planning a Retaining Wall Project Near Stroudsburg?
If you’re considering a retaining wall or stonework project in the Stroudsburg area, feel free to reach out to discuss your project.
610-301-4269 devin@devineescapes.com
