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Description

From 1860 to the 1920’s, San Juan Island was the major manufacturer of lime (or quicklime) in the western United States. The island had quality limestone, old growth forests for the wood to fire the kilns and deep protected harbors for the sailing ships that carried the lime to markets throughout the West Coast and the Pacific Rim. Quicklime or calcium oxide (CaO) is widely used to make concrete, plaster, steel, glass, paper and fertilizer.

Crushed limestone was dumped into the kiln at the top, burned in a wood fire and the quicklime collected at the bottom.

Lime Kiln State Park ~ San Juan Island

Description

From 1860 to the 1920’s, San Juan Island was the major manufacturer of lime (or quicklime) in the western United States. The island had quality limestone, old growth forests for the wood to fire the kilns and deep protected harbors for the sailing ships that carried the lime to markets throughout the West Coast and the Pacific Rim. Quicklime or calcium oxide (CaO) is widely used to make concrete, plaster, steel, glass, paper and fertilizer.

Crushed limestone was dumped into the kiln at the top, burned in a wood fire and the quicklime collected at the bottom.

Lime Kiln State Park ~ San Juan Island