The sun sets over quarried, yet unused stone blocks under a blanket of snow, beside the Quarry in Arms Forest — Burlington, Vermont. Photo by Mike Luoma.

Did Desecration Doom Two Schools?

Possible Repercussions From a 19th Century Clergyman’s Folly

Did desecration doom two schools? Do we still experience negative reverberations from a 19th century Christian clergyman’s destruction of a possible sacred stone site?

A Possible Council Rock and surrounding Ceremonial Stone Landscape in Arms Forest. Photo by Mike Luoma.

Visiting Arms Forest and Lone Rock Point peninsula in Burlington, Vermont, this spring, I was pleasantly surprised to discover possible Native American stonework in these side-by-side parks, one public and one private but open to the public, near the Lake Champlain waterfront.

In Arms Forest, but nearly on the border between the two parks, we also find an old quarry. Based on my observations, research, and intuition, I have a growing sense and impression that this quarry was cut into something else, something older.

Perhaps even something sacred.

A Trinity of leftover stone blocks remain in the old quarry in Arms Forest. Photo by Mike Luoma.

In assessing the stonework found on multiple visits to Arms Forest — standing stones, possible terracing, potential prayer seats and effigy…