Limekiln State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Limekiln State Park |
|
|---|---|
|
IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
|
|
Two of the limekilns for which the park is named
|
|
 Limekiln State Park
Location in California
Limekiln State Park
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Monterey County, California, United States |
| Nearest city | Big Sur, California |
| Area | 711 acres (288 ha) |
| Established | 1994 |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Limekiln State Park is a beautiful state park located on the Big Sur coast in California, United States. It's famous for its old lime kilns, which are like giant ovens used to make lime. The park also has a lovely beach, tall redwood trees, and a 100-foot (30 m) waterfall called Limekiln Falls. You can find it about 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Lucia, right off State Route 1. This 711-acre (288 ha) park became a state park in 1994.
Contents
Park History: From Kilns to Conservation
Limekiln State Park has an interesting past, especially with its old lime kilns. These structures played a big role in the area's history.
Making Lime in the 1800s
From 1887 to 1890, a company called Rockland Lime and Lumber Company operated here. They collected limestone from a rocky slope. This limestone was then put into four large kilns made of iron and stone. Inside these kilns, very hot fires were lit. The heat would extract lime from the limestone.
Once the lime was ready, it was packed into barrels. These barrels were then sent on a cable system down to Rockland Cove. From there, they were loaded onto ships. The lime was a very important ingredient. It was used to make cement for building projects in cities like San Francisco and Monterey.
However, after just three years, the company stopped its operations. They had used up most of the limestone. They also cut down many redwood trees to fuel the fires in the kilns. Today, you can take an easy .5-mile (0.80 km) trail to see the remains of these old lime-making operations. You'll find the four kilns, along with some old stone walls and parts of bridges.
Protecting the Redwoods
Even though the redwood forest was heavily used for the lime kilns, it started to grow back. But in 1984, a private owner planned to cut down more trees in the Limekiln Creek area. Many people who cared about nature spoke up. They successfully worked to save the land and turn it into a public park.
Before it became a state park, the campground was owned by a family. Later, it was run by the Esalen Institute for several years. Finally, the property was given to the California state park system. Limekiln State Park officially opened its doors to the public in September 1995.
Recovering from the Chalk Fire
In September and October 2008, Limekiln State Park faced a big challenge. The Chalk Fire caused a lot of damage to the park. This fire burned a huge area of 16,269 acres (65.84 km2) in California. Because of the damage, the park had to close. It finally reopened on July 2, 2010.
At first, the trail to Limekiln Falls remained closed, but it reopened in the summer of 2011. Another trail, the Hare Creek Trail, is now shorter than it used to be because of the fire damage.
Park Closures and Reopening Efforts
Limekiln State Park has faced threats of closure more than once. In 2008, it was one of many state parks that might have closed down. Luckily, these closures were avoided by reducing park hours and maintenance across the state park system.
Then, in July 2012, the park was again at risk of closing. This was part of a plan to save money, and 70 other California state parks were also threatened. But a special organization stepped in and signed an agreement. This agreement helped keep Limekiln State Park open for everyone to enjoy.
Enjoying Limekiln State Park Today
Limekiln State Park is a popular spot for outdoor activities. It offers a chance to explore nature and relax.
Camping and Trails
The park has a small but very popular campground. You can choose from 31 campsites nestled among the giant redwood trees. There are also 11 campsites that offer beautiful ocean views.
Many easy trails are available for visitors to explore. You can hike to see the historic lime kilns. Another trail leads you up Hare Creek Canyon. A different path takes you to the lovely Limekiln Falls, located on the east fork of Limekiln Creek.
Images for kids
-
Remains of one of the kilns in Lime Kiln Canyon in 1920
