Stone Pillars in History and Today

Ancient natural stone formations resulting from geophysical forces sometimes resemble pillars. For example the fabulous Lena stone pillars stand along the banks of the Lena River in Russia and draw people on four day peregrinations from Moscow to see them. Many ancient pillar formations have legends ascribed to them. A large rock sitting on Mt. Sodom in Israel is believed by many to be the wife of the biblical figure Lot, who turned to stone as she looked back at the fire and brimstone raining down on Sodom and Gomorra. A group of stone pillars in Kuklica are supposed to be a wedding party turned to stone by a woman designated to marry the groom on the same day as the first wedding. Massive rock pillars in Utah are said to be "Legend People" who the Cayote Trickster turned to stone because of their evil ways.

Stone pillars were sometimes set up to commemorate religious occurrences, such as the stone pillar erected by the Biblical Jacob, or were erected to commemorate historical events, such as the Allahabad Stone Pillar, erected during the reign of King Samudra Gupta, which contains inscriptions of stories about his reign.  In England, stone pillar formations at Stonehenge and Mitchel's fold were ancient astronomical indicators and places of religious ritual. The Katskhi Pillar in Georgia, was used by stylites (pillar saints) - Christian ascetics who lived on its top and eschewed worldly temptations –The practice was stopped late in the 15th century, but recently revived by locals. Modern stone pillars in Snowdon, England are used to guide hikers in the winter months through the treacherous snow covered trails.

Throughout the ages, stone pillars have changed their style and appearance and function. In modern outdoor masonry, stone pillars are used for a number of functional and decorative purposes. Stone pillars in residential homes may be used to decorate and or embellish a gate made of wood or wrought iron. Pillars can support a mailbox, and will include an attached address sign. Pillars are used to accent a driveway entrance, and may stand alone or with a light on top and or an attached  fence. Pillars can help decorate and or support a portico.

Pillars may serve as supports for a pergola. Pillars may stand under a deck as supporting columns or on top of the deck as decorative markers of the deck's border or as support for an awning that sits over the deck. Pillars can decorate the front of a home, enhancing its curb appeal and value. Stone pillars may also be built into a home adding ambience to basements, dining areas, and can frame fireplaces, cooking areas and televisions.

Stone pillars can be round or square, straight up and down, or tapered. They may have a capstone, such as of bluestone or granite, or they may be topped by a light or decorative piece. Stones used for making pillars include fieldstone, sandstone, brick, natural stone, river rock, brown granite, silver granite, limestone, or quartz. Limestone and fieldstone are easier to work with than granite because they are softer and more easily shaped.

Stones come in many colors, which the mason can arrange within a pillar to form attractive color patterns. The mason may fit colored paver stones into the stoneworks to add attractive accents, and pillars can be made to match the stone work in a nearby wall, walkway, or patio. Modern pillars can also be made of veneer stone. There are many durable types of veneer columns, the common factor being that the stone or faux stone is fitted around a pre-made concrete inner base and held in place with mortar.

Custom pillars add boldness, ambience, and distinction to any home's architecture These important, hardscape features add texture and form to the home's outdoor landscaping. From patios, to walkways, to decks, stone pillars can add accent and character to any existing outside feature.

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