The next project will be to repair a rather unique little outdoor fireplace. As far as I can tell based upon the stone used, mortaring style, the feel of the mortar itself and overall construction, this outdoor fireplace and grill was probably constructed at the same time as the lodge. There are very distinctive signs that tell me that the mason that built it was the same mason that built the lodge’s foundation. Those same tell tale elements or flair exist on both – like a mason’s signature. That would make the structure about 110 years old or more. Over the years the mortar has begun to crumble and some of the stones have separated.
On further inspection I have found that the settling has created a split right up the middle of the entire chimney and firebox.
I’ll be using steel straps to temporarily hug the entire structure whilst I chip out and point with new lime and sand mortar.
I have also decided to increase the height of the chimney itself. — The chimney has very little draw. Duplicating the stone work should not be a problem as I have plenty of the same stone on the property and have plenty of iron points for shaping the stones – a task I have done many times on other projects.
Much of the interior skim coat will need to be chipped out replaced with a fresh skim. 
This will not be an easy project.
