Last summer our Wednesday warriors began clearing brush along what appeared to be a retaining wall at the top of the hill. It turns out, that this was the old ox-trail used by the keepers to haul coal and supplies up the hill before the tramway way erected. We don’t know when the keepers of the past built this marvelous retaining wall, but it was at least 100 years ago. All those stones were hauled from around the island and laid by hand. There is even a large eye bolt embedded in a rock near the top for a block and tackle to be attached to assist the oxen up the last steep grade with a load of coal. The picture below shows the cart and oxen around the time of the tramway construction.
FOSILS plans to restore this trail to functional use in order to bring project material and supplies up to the station, but we still have two challenges to overcome.
- The last approach of the ox-trail to the house is very steep and has been washed out over the past 100 years of non-use. Landscaping contractors charge $5,000 each way to get equipment to the island. The current estimate is $40,000 to regrade, putting the total estimate at $50,000. So why do we want to restore this trail at such a cost? FOSILS still needs to restore the windows in the Keeper’s House in the coming years which entails safely transporting 24 very expensive, historically accurate windows up the hill for installation. Restoring the tramway to operational status would be just as expensive as the windows themselves. Restoring the ox-trail for a vehicle to transport those windows is the most cost-effective approach as well as serving to get other supplies up the hill for future projects. This is where we need supporters’ help to make this happen.
- Poison Ivy – As visitors to the island know, poison Ivy is rampant on the island. In the highlighted area above, the area of the ox-trail has poison ivy on steroids! Not just “cute” little leaves, these are more like carnivorous bushes! Our Wednesday warriors will be cutting them to their base in April before they leave for the summer. They will also that the opportunity to create a link to the South Trail.
With the Seguin Dock opening in time for the season and the work on the ox-trail, FOSILS is positioning the island to better serve the needs of preservation of the station. Increased efficiency will allow us to accomplish more preservation projects as well as improving the safety of our volunteers and visitors. Your support to help us grade the ox-trail to a safe travel route allow this to happen. Please contribute what you can for your island. Thank You!
