In the United States, cobblestones were manufactured large blocks that were impermeable and very durable. Streets were paved with them.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sett_(paving)
(which is often called a cobblestone)
Edit: Still being laid in Edinburgh...
I had assumed you meant that the stone had been manufactured into a block, but this is clearly something else.
Some kind of special concrete formulation do you think?
The formula kept as a trade secret, then lost when the company closed or got bought or something I suppose?
Rather unfortunate, alas.
Edited