Last week, Nancy and I stayed at High Cliff State Park, in Sherwood, Wisconsin. It's the site of an old limestone quarry and processing company, the Western Lime and Cement Company.
Here's the text from a sign by the ruins:
This was once the site of a thriving lime producing business known as the Western Lime and Cement Company. From beginning to end, production here lasted approximately 100 years (1856-1956). All that remains today are the skeletons of the three kilns in front of you.
Niagra Dolostone (limestone) quarried on top of the ledge was maneuvered down treacherous, zigzag trails by horse drawn carts. A pulley system later replaced the horses and made for more efficient transportation. The rock was dropped into the tops of the kilns and after "baking", was drawn out as a powder from the arched doors at the bottom.
The kilns were heated to a temperature of around 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit to turn out a white powdery substance known as "quick lime". Heaps of waste lime are still present on the hill behind you. Wood fueled the kilns until the supply of trees on the ledge was depleted. Coal was later used. Quick lime was barreled and bagged in the Cooper's Shop, the brick structure located to your right. Product was then loaded onto barges and railcars for shipment across Wisconsin.
Good quality lime was used in plaster, cement, and for agricultural purposes. Poorer quality rock was sent to the crusher bin to be made into gravel. If you travel east along the Lime Kiln Trail, you can still see the remains of the foundation for the gyrating crusher.
