It is illegal to steal or dismantle historic stone walls.

The Law

New England is famous for its intricate, centuries-old dry stone walls that trace ancient property lines across the forests. Unscrupulous landscapers began dismantling these historic markers in the dead of night to sell the weathered stones for a hefty profit. Lawmakers stepped in to protect these iconic rural structures from being pillaged for suburban garden projects. Stealing a wall sounds impossible, but it was lucrative enough to require a law.