diff --git a/core/benches/blocktree.rs b/core/benches/blocktree.rs
index 8930ffca56..966b187379 100644
--- a/core/benches/blocktree.rs
+++ b/core/benches/blocktree.rs
@@ -11,12 +11,13 @@ use rand::{thread_rng, Rng};
 use solana::blocktree::{get_tmp_ledger_path, Blocktree};
 use solana::entry::{make_large_test_entries, make_tiny_test_entries, EntrySlice};
 use solana::packet::{Blob, BLOB_HEADER_SIZE};
+use std::path::Path;
 use test::Bencher;
 
 // Given some blobs and a ledger at ledger_path, benchmark writing the blobs to the ledger
-fn bench_write_blobs(bench: &mut Bencher, blobs: &mut Vec<Blob>, ledger_path: &str) {
+fn bench_write_blobs(bench: &mut Bencher, blobs: &mut Vec<Blob>, ledger_path: &Path) {
     let blocktree =
-        Blocktree::open(&ledger_path).expect("Expected to be able to open database ledger");
+        Blocktree::open(ledger_path).expect("Expected to be able to open database ledger");
 
     let num_blobs = blobs.len();
 
@@ -36,7 +37,7 @@ fn bench_write_blobs(bench: &mut Bencher, blobs: &mut Vec<Blob>, ledger_path: &s
         }
     });
 
-    Blocktree::destroy(&ledger_path).expect("Expected successful database destruction");
+    Blocktree::destroy(ledger_path).expect("Expected successful database destruction");
 }
 
 // Insert some blobs into the ledger in preparation for read benchmarks
diff --git a/core/src/blocktree.rs b/core/src/blocktree.rs
index b6c360a03d..d69b4d93ac 100644
--- a/core/src/blocktree.rs
+++ b/core/src/blocktree.rs
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ use std::cell::RefCell;
 use std::cmp;
 use std::fs;
 use std::io;
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 use std::rc::Rc;
 use std::sync::mpsc::{sync_channel, Receiver, SyncSender, TrySendError};
 use std::sync::{Arc, RwLock};
@@ -113,14 +114,12 @@ pub const INDEX_CF: &str = "index";
 
 impl Blocktree {
     /// Opens a Ledger in directory, provides "infinite" window of blobs
-    pub fn open(ledger_path: &str) -> Result<Blocktree> {
-        use std::path::Path;
-
+    pub fn open(ledger_path: &Path) -> Result<Blocktree> {
         fs::create_dir_all(&ledger_path)?;
-        let ledger_path = Path::new(&ledger_path).join(BLOCKTREE_DIRECTORY);
+        let blocktree_path = ledger_path.join(BLOCKTREE_DIRECTORY);
 
         // Open the database
-        let db = Database::open(&ledger_path)?;
+        let db = Database::open(&blocktree_path)?;
 
         let batch_processor = unsafe { Arc::new(RwLock::new(db.batch_processor())) };
 
@@ -162,7 +161,7 @@ impl Blocktree {
     }
 
     pub fn open_with_signal(
-        ledger_path: &str,
+        ledger_path: &Path,
     ) -> Result<(Self, Receiver<bool>, CompletedSlotsReceiver)> {
         let mut blocktree = Self::open(ledger_path)?;
         let (signal_sender, signal_receiver) = sync_channel(1);
@@ -174,11 +173,11 @@ impl Blocktree {
         Ok((blocktree, signal_receiver, completed_slots_receiver))
     }
 
-    pub fn destroy(ledger_path: &str) -> Result<()> {
-        // Database::destroy() fails is the path doesn't exist
+    pub fn destroy(ledger_path: &Path) -> Result<()> {
+        // Database::destroy() fails if the path doesn't exist
         fs::create_dir_all(ledger_path)?;
-        let path = std::path::Path::new(ledger_path).join(BLOCKTREE_DIRECTORY);
-        Database::destroy(&path)
+        let blocktree_path = ledger_path.join(BLOCKTREE_DIRECTORY);
+        Database::destroy(&blocktree_path)
     }
 
     pub fn meta(&self, slot: u64) -> Result<Option<SlotMeta>> {
@@ -1958,7 +1957,7 @@ fn slot_has_updates(slot_meta: &SlotMeta, slot_meta_backup: &Option<SlotMeta>) -
 // Creates a new ledger with slot 0 full of ticks (and only ticks).
 //
 // Returns the blockhash that can be used to append entries with.
-pub fn create_new_ledger(ledger_path: &str, genesis_block: &GenesisBlock) -> Result<Hash> {
+pub fn create_new_ledger(ledger_path: &Path, genesis_block: &GenesisBlock) -> Result<Hash> {
     let ticks_per_slot = genesis_block.ticks_per_slot;
     Blocktree::destroy(ledger_path)?;
     genesis_block.write(&ledger_path)?;
@@ -1971,7 +1970,7 @@ pub fn create_new_ledger(ledger_path: &str, genesis_block: &GenesisBlock) -> Res
     Ok(entries.last().unwrap().hash)
 }
 
-pub fn genesis<'a, I>(ledger_path: &str, keypair: &Keypair, entries: I) -> Result<()>
+pub fn genesis<'a, I>(ledger_path: &Path, keypair: &Keypair, entries: I) -> Result<()>
 where
     I: IntoIterator<Item = &'a Entry>,
 {
@@ -2008,12 +2007,18 @@ macro_rules! get_tmp_ledger_path {
     };
 }
 
-pub fn get_tmp_ledger_path(name: &str) -> String {
+pub fn get_tmp_ledger_path(name: &str) -> PathBuf {
     use std::env;
     let out_dir = env::var("FARF_DIR").unwrap_or_else(|_| "farf".to_string());
     let keypair = Keypair::new();
 
-    let path = format!("{}/ledger/{}-{}", out_dir, name, keypair.pubkey());
+    let path = [
+        out_dir,
+        "ledger".to_string(),
+        format!("{}-{}", name, keypair.pubkey()),
+    ]
+    .iter()
+    .collect();
 
     // whack any possible collision
     let _ignored = fs::remove_dir_all(&path);
@@ -2032,7 +2037,7 @@ macro_rules! create_new_tmp_ledger {
 //
 // Note: like `create_new_ledger` the returned ledger will have slot 0 full of ticks (and only
 // ticks)
-pub fn create_new_tmp_ledger(name: &str, genesis_block: &GenesisBlock) -> (String, Hash) {
+pub fn create_new_tmp_ledger(name: &str, genesis_block: &GenesisBlock) -> (PathBuf, Hash) {
     let ledger_path = get_tmp_ledger_path(name);
     let blockhash = create_new_ledger(&ledger_path, genesis_block).unwrap();
     (ledger_path, blockhash)
@@ -2045,7 +2050,7 @@ macro_rules! tmp_copy_blocktree {
     };
 }
 
-pub fn tmp_copy_blocktree(from: &str, name: &str) -> String {
+pub fn tmp_copy_blocktree(from: &Path, name: &str) -> PathBuf {
     let path = get_tmp_ledger_path(name);
 
     let blocktree = Blocktree::open(from).unwrap();
diff --git a/core/src/broadcast_stage.rs b/core/src/broadcast_stage.rs
index 17db905de9..ea0e164a87 100644
--- a/core/src/broadcast_stage.rs
+++ b/core/src/broadcast_stage.rs
@@ -241,6 +241,7 @@ mod test {
     use solana_sdk::hash::Hash;
     use solana_sdk::pubkey::Pubkey;
     use solana_sdk::signature::{Keypair, KeypairUtil};
+    use std::path::Path;
     use std::sync::atomic::AtomicBool;
     use std::sync::mpsc::channel;
     use std::sync::{Arc, RwLock};
@@ -255,7 +256,7 @@ mod test {
 
     fn setup_dummy_broadcast_service(
         leader_pubkey: &Pubkey,
-        ledger_path: &str,
+        ledger_path: &Path,
         entry_receiver: Receiver<WorkingBankEntries>,
     ) -> MockBroadcastStage {
         // Make the database ledger
diff --git a/core/src/cluster_tests.rs b/core/src/cluster_tests.rs
index 475d5c2667..d134c59969 100644
--- a/core/src/cluster_tests.rs
+++ b/core/src/cluster_tests.rs
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ use solana_sdk::timing::{
     NUM_CONSECUTIVE_LEADER_SLOTS,
 };
 use solana_sdk::transport::TransportError;
+use std::path::Path;
 use std::thread::sleep;
 use std::time::Duration;
 
@@ -94,7 +95,7 @@ pub fn fullnode_exit(entry_point_info: &ContactInfo, nodes: usize) {
     }
 }
 
-pub fn verify_ledger_ticks(ledger_path: &str, ticks_per_slot: usize) {
+pub fn verify_ledger_ticks(ledger_path: &Path, ticks_per_slot: usize) {
     let ledger = Blocktree::open(ledger_path).unwrap();
     let zeroth_slot = ledger.get_slot_entries(0, 0, None).unwrap();
     let last_id = zeroth_slot.last().unwrap().hash;
diff --git a/core/src/erasure.rs b/core/src/erasure.rs
index a62381a823..0b7b6901b1 100644
--- a/core/src/erasure.rs
+++ b/core/src/erasure.rs
@@ -334,6 +334,7 @@ pub mod test {
     use solana_sdk::signature::Signable;
     use solana_sdk::signature::{Keypair, KeypairUtil};
     use std::borrow::Borrow;
+    use std::path::Path;
 
     /// Specifies the contents of a 16-data-blob and 4-coding-blob erasure set
     /// Exists to be passed to `generate_blocktree_with_coding`
@@ -748,7 +749,7 @@ pub mod test {
     /// Genarates a ledger according to the given specs.
     /// Blocktree should have correct SlotMeta and ErasureMeta and so on but will not have done any
     /// possible recovery.
-    pub fn generate_blocktree_with_coding(ledger_path: &str, specs: &[SlotSpec]) -> Blocktree {
+    pub fn generate_blocktree_with_coding(ledger_path: &Path, specs: &[SlotSpec]) -> Blocktree {
         let blocktree = Blocktree::open(ledger_path).unwrap();
 
         let model = generate_ledger_model(specs);
diff --git a/core/src/local_cluster.rs b/core/src/local_cluster.rs
index f0142a9ce7..54d88914b9 100644
--- a/core/src/local_cluster.rs
+++ b/core/src/local_cluster.rs
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ use solana_vote_api::vote_state::VoteState;
 use std::collections::HashMap;
 use std::fs::remove_dir_all;
 use std::io::{Error, ErrorKind, Result};
+use std::path::PathBuf;
 use std::sync::Arc;
 
 use solana_librapay_api::librapay_transaction;
@@ -36,17 +37,17 @@ pub struct ValidatorInfo {
     pub keypair: Arc<Keypair>,
     pub voting_keypair: Arc<Keypair>,
     pub storage_keypair: Arc<Keypair>,
-    pub ledger_path: String,
+    pub ledger_path: PathBuf,
     pub contact_info: ContactInfo,
 }
 
 pub struct ReplicatorInfo {
     pub replicator_storage_pubkey: Pubkey,
-    pub ledger_path: String,
+    pub ledger_path: PathBuf,
 }
 
 impl ReplicatorInfo {
-    fn new(storage_pubkey: Pubkey, ledger_path: String) -> Self {
+    fn new(storage_pubkey: Pubkey, ledger_path: PathBuf) -> Self {
         Self {
             replicator_storage_pubkey: storage_pubkey,
             ledger_path,
@@ -395,7 +396,7 @@ impl LocalCluster {
             .chain(self.replicator_infos.values().map(|info| &info.ledger_path))
         {
             remove_dir_all(&ledger_path)
-                .unwrap_or_else(|_| panic!("Unable to remove {}", ledger_path));
+                .unwrap_or_else(|_| panic!("Unable to remove {:?}", ledger_path));
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/core/src/replicator.rs b/core/src/replicator.rs
index 926a870f11..1e7288f4f3 100644
--- a/core/src/replicator.rs
+++ b/core/src/replicator.rs
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ pub struct Replicator {
 struct ReplicatorMeta {
     slot: u64,
     slots_per_segment: u64,
-    ledger_path: String,
+    ledger_path: PathBuf,
     signature: Signature,
     ledger_data_file_encrypted: PathBuf,
     sampling_offsets: Vec<u64>,
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ impl Replicator {
     /// * `keypair` - Keypair for this replicator
     #[allow(clippy::new_ret_no_self)]
     pub fn new(
-        ledger_path: &str,
+        ledger_path: &Path,
         node: Node,
         cluster_entrypoint: ContactInfo,
         keypair: Arc<Keypair>,
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ impl Replicator {
             let exit = exit.clone();
             let node_info = node.info.clone();
             let mut meta = ReplicatorMeta {
-                ledger_path: ledger_path.to_string(),
+                ledger_path: ledger_path.to_path_buf(),
                 ..ReplicatorMeta::default()
             };
             spawn(move || {
@@ -516,8 +516,7 @@ impl Replicator {
     }
 
     fn encrypt_ledger(meta: &mut ReplicatorMeta, blocktree: &Arc<Blocktree>) -> Result<()> {
-        let ledger_path = Path::new(&meta.ledger_path);
-        meta.ledger_data_file_encrypted = ledger_path.join(ENCRYPTED_FILENAME);
+        meta.ledger_data_file_encrypted = meta.ledger_path.join(ENCRYPTED_FILENAME);
 
         {
             let mut ivec = [0u8; 64];
diff --git a/core/src/validator.rs b/core/src/validator.rs
index e067f112ff..c6e8ee2581 100644
--- a/core/src/validator.rs
+++ b/core/src/validator.rs
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ use solana_sdk::pubkey::Pubkey;
 use solana_sdk::signature::{Keypair, KeypairUtil};
 use solana_sdk::timing::{timestamp, DEFAULT_SLOTS_PER_TURN};
 use std::net::{IpAddr, Ipv4Addr, SocketAddr};
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicBool, Ordering};
 use std::sync::mpsc::Receiver;
 use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex, RwLock};
@@ -79,7 +80,7 @@ impl Validator {
     pub fn new(
         mut node: Node,
         keypair: &Arc<Keypair>,
-        ledger_path: &str,
+        ledger_path: &Path,
         vote_account: &Pubkey,
         voting_keypair: &Arc<Keypair>,
         storage_keypair: &Arc<Keypair>,
@@ -340,7 +341,7 @@ fn get_bank_forks(
 }
 
 pub fn new_banks_from_blocktree(
-    blocktree_path: &str,
+    blocktree_path: &Path,
     account_paths: Option<String>,
     snapshot_path: Option<String>,
     verify_ledger: bool,
@@ -401,7 +402,7 @@ impl Service for Validator {
     }
 }
 
-pub fn new_validator_for_tests() -> (Validator, ContactInfo, Keypair, String) {
+pub fn new_validator_for_tests() -> (Validator, ContactInfo, Keypair, PathBuf) {
     use crate::blocktree::create_new_tmp_ledger;
     use crate::genesis_utils::{create_genesis_block_with_leader, GenesisBlockInfo};
 
diff --git a/core/tests/replicator.rs b/core/tests/replicator.rs
index 854c3deb01..88f38d1ff8 100644
--- a/core/tests/replicator.rs
+++ b/core/tests/replicator.rs
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ fn test_replicator_startup_leader_hang() {
     solana_logger::setup();
     info!("starting replicator test");
 
-    let leader_ledger_path = "replicator_test_leader_ledger";
+    let leader_ledger_path = std::path::PathBuf::from("replicator_test_leader_ledger");
     let (genesis_block, _mint_keypair) = create_genesis_block(10_000);
     let (replicator_ledger_path, _blockhash) = create_new_tmp_ledger!(&genesis_block);
 
diff --git a/genesis/src/main.rs b/genesis/src/main.rs
index cc881a5e89..29cb9037e7 100644
--- a/genesis/src/main.rs
+++ b/genesis/src/main.rs
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ use std::collections::HashMap;
 use std::error;
 use std::fs::File;
 use std::io;
+use std::path::PathBuf;
 use std::str::FromStr;
 use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
 
@@ -248,7 +249,7 @@ fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn error::Error>> {
     let bootstrap_storage_keypair_file =
         matches.value_of("bootstrap_storage_keypair_file").unwrap();
     let mint_keypair_file = matches.value_of("mint_keypair_file").unwrap();
-    let ledger_path = matches.value_of("ledger_path").unwrap();
+    let ledger_path = PathBuf::from(matches.value_of("ledger_path").unwrap());
     let lamports = value_t_or_exit!(matches, "lamports", u64);
     let bootstrap_leader_lamports = value_t_or_exit!(matches, "bootstrap_leader_lamports", u64);
     let bootstrap_leader_stake_lamports =
@@ -359,7 +360,7 @@ fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn error::Error>> {
     builder = solana_storage_api::rewards_pools::genesis(builder);
     builder = solana_stake_api::rewards_pools::genesis(builder);
 
-    create_new_ledger(ledger_path, &builder.build())?;
+    create_new_ledger(&ledger_path, &builder.build())?;
     Ok(())
 }
 
diff --git a/ledger-tool/src/main.rs b/ledger-tool/src/main.rs
index 9c64ca614a..ff4031a8a3 100644
--- a/ledger-tool/src/main.rs
+++ b/ledger-tool/src/main.rs
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ use solana_sdk::genesis_block::GenesisBlock;
 use std::collections::BTreeMap;
 use std::fs::File;
 use std::io::{stdout, Write};
+use std::path::PathBuf;
 use std::process::exit;
 use std::str::FromStr;
 
@@ -119,20 +120,20 @@ fn main() {
         ))
         .get_matches();
 
-    let ledger_path = matches.value_of("ledger").unwrap();
+    let ledger_path = PathBuf::from(matches.value_of("ledger").unwrap());
 
-    let genesis_block = GenesisBlock::load(ledger_path).unwrap_or_else(|err| {
+    let genesis_block = GenesisBlock::load(&ledger_path).unwrap_or_else(|err| {
         eprintln!(
-            "Failed to open ledger genesis_block at {}: {}",
+            "Failed to open ledger genesis_block at {:?}: {}",
             ledger_path, err
         );
         exit(1);
     });
 
-    let blocktree = match Blocktree::open(ledger_path) {
+    let blocktree = match Blocktree::open(&ledger_path) {
         Ok(blocktree) => blocktree,
         Err(err) => {
-            eprintln!("Failed to open ledger at {}: {}", ledger_path, err);
+            eprintln!("Failed to open ledger at {:?}: {}", ledger_path, err);
             exit(1);
         }
     };
diff --git a/ledger-tool/tests/basic.rs b/ledger-tool/tests/basic.rs
index 48e0a5b7f5..2b01ff14eb 100644
--- a/ledger-tool/tests/basic.rs
+++ b/ledger-tool/tests/basic.rs
@@ -38,6 +38,8 @@ fn nominal() {
     let (ledger_path, _blockhash) = create_new_tmp_ledger!(&genesis_block);
     let ticks = ticks_per_slot as usize;
 
+    let ledger_path = ledger_path.to_str().unwrap();
+
     // Basic validation
     let output = run_ledger_tool(&["-l", &ledger_path, "verify"]);
     assert!(output.status.success());
diff --git a/replicator/src/main.rs b/replicator/src/main.rs
index dcf9b915e7..383b251daa 100644
--- a/replicator/src/main.rs
+++ b/replicator/src/main.rs
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ use solana::contact_info::ContactInfo;
 use solana::replicator::Replicator;
 use solana_sdk::signature::{read_keypair, Keypair, KeypairUtil};
 use std::net::SocketAddr;
+use std::path::PathBuf;
 use std::process::exit;
 use std::sync::Arc;
 
@@ -50,7 +51,7 @@ fn main() {
         )
         .get_matches();
 
-    let ledger_path = matches.value_of("ledger").unwrap();
+    let ledger_path = PathBuf::from(matches.value_of("ledger").unwrap());
 
     let keypair = if let Some(identity) = matches.value_of("identity") {
         read_keypair(identity).unwrap_or_else(|err| {
@@ -93,7 +94,7 @@ fn main() {
 
     let entrypoint_info = ContactInfo::new_gossip_entry_point(&entrypoint_addr);
     let replicator = Replicator::new(
-        ledger_path,
+        &ledger_path,
         node,
         entrypoint_info,
         Arc::new(keypair),
diff --git a/sdk/src/genesis_block.rs b/sdk/src/genesis_block.rs
index 4bb6fba838..138e4756af 100644
--- a/sdk/src/genesis_block.rs
+++ b/sdk/src/genesis_block.rs
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ impl GenesisBlock {
         hash(&serialized.into_bytes())
     }
 
-    pub fn load(ledger_path: &str) -> Result<Self, std::io::Error> {
+    pub fn load(ledger_path: &Path) -> Result<Self, std::io::Error> {
         let file = OpenOptions::new()
             .read(true)
             .open(&Path::new(ledger_path).join("genesis.bin"))
@@ -179,14 +179,13 @@ impl GenesisBlock {
         Ok(genesis_block)
     }
 
-    pub fn write(&self, ledger_path: &str) -> Result<(), std::io::Error> {
+    pub fn write(&self, ledger_path: &Path) -> Result<(), std::io::Error> {
         let serialized = serialize(&self)
             .map_err(|err| std::io::Error::new(std::io::ErrorKind::Other, format!("{:?}", err)))?;
 
-        let dir = Path::new(ledger_path);
-        std::fs::create_dir_all(&dir)?;
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(&ledger_path)?;
 
-        let mut file = File::create(&dir.join("genesis.bin"))?;
+        let mut file = File::create(&ledger_path.join("genesis.bin"))?;
         file.write_all(&serialized)
     }
 }
@@ -195,12 +194,19 @@ impl GenesisBlock {
 mod tests {
     use super::*;
     use crate::signature::{Keypair, KeypairUtil};
+    use std::path::PathBuf;
 
-    fn make_tmp_path(name: &str) -> String {
+    fn make_tmp_path(name: &str) -> PathBuf {
         let out_dir = std::env::var("FARF_DIR").unwrap_or_else(|_| "farf".to_string());
         let keypair = Keypair::new();
 
-        let path = format!("{}/tmp/{}-{}", out_dir, name, keypair.pubkey());
+        let path = [
+            out_dir,
+            "tmp".to_string(),
+            format!("{}-{}", name, keypair.pubkey()),
+        ]
+        .iter()
+        .collect();
 
         // whack any possible collision
         let _ignored = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&path);
diff --git a/validator/src/main.rs b/validator/src/main.rs
index aa2a2f55fd..082e4f3c2c 100644
--- a/validator/src/main.rs
+++ b/validator/src/main.rs
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ use solana_netutil::parse_port_range;
 use solana_sdk::signature::{read_keypair, Keypair, KeypairUtil};
 use std::fs::File;
 use std::net::SocketAddr;
+use std::path::PathBuf;
 use std::process::exit;
 use std::sync::Arc;
 
@@ -75,7 +76,7 @@ fn main() {
                 .help("Create this file, if it doesn't already exist, once node initialization is complete"),
         )
         .arg(
-            Arg::with_name("ledger")
+            Arg::with_name("ledger_path")
                 .short("l")
                 .long("ledger")
                 .value_name("DIR")
@@ -208,7 +209,7 @@ fn main() {
             pubkey.parse().expect("failed to parse vote_account")
         });
 
-    let ledger_path = matches.value_of("ledger").unwrap();
+    let ledger_path = PathBuf::from(matches.value_of("ledger_path").unwrap());
 
     validator_config.sigverify_disabled = matches.is_present("no_sigverify");
 
@@ -283,7 +284,7 @@ fn main() {
     let validator = Validator::new(
         node,
         &keypair,
-        ledger_path,
+        &ledger_path,
         &vote_account,
         &Arc::new(voting_keypair),
         &Arc::new(storage_keypair),