Olema Lime Kilns facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Olema Lime Kilns
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 Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Olema, California |
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| Built | 1850 |
| Architect | James A. Shore, William Mercer |
| NRHP reference No. | 76000217 |
| Added to NRHP | October 08, 1976 |
The Olema Lime Kilns are old stone structures found at Point Reyes National Seashore in California. They were built in 1850. Two businessmen from San Francisco, James A. Shorb and William F. Mercer, leased the land to build them.
These kilns were used to make lime. Lime is a material used in building, farming, and other industries. It's made by heating limestone to very high temperatures. The Olema kilns were only used a few times. They were abandoned around 1855, just five years after they were built. This was likely because the limestone found nearby wasn't very good. Also, there was a financial problem that year.
The kilns show an effort during the California Gold Rush to start a lime-making business in Marin County, California. This was only two years after Alta California became part of the United States from Mexico. The kilns are three old, barrel-shaped stone buildings. They are now ruins, leaning against a hillside. You can find them about five miles south of Olema, California and close to California State Route 1.
Contents
What Are Lime Kilns?
Lime kilns are like big ovens. They heat limestone to create a powder called lime. This powder is very useful. People use it to make mortar and cement for buildings. Farmers use it to improve soil. It was an important product, especially during the Gold Rush when many new towns and buildings were being constructed.
Kiln No. 1: The Southern Kiln
The kiln on the south side is called Kiln No. 1. It was built using gray limestone. Inside, the stone was carefully cut and shaped. This allowed for a smooth layer of fireclay. Fireclay helps the kiln withstand high heat. Part of the kiln also had firebrick, which is even stronger against heat.
The outside of this kiln was shaped like a rectangle. It was also made of cut limestone. Between the inner and outer walls, there were smaller pieces of limestone. These were held together with mud or clay. When the kilns were left, Kiln No. 1 was full of limestone. But it was never fired, so we can't measure its inside easily.
Kiln No. 2: The Middle Kiln
Kiln No. 2 is right next to Kiln No. 1, on its north side. It also faced west towards the creek. This kiln was built with limestone held together by lime mortar. This mortar was probably made in Kiln No. 1. Kiln No. 2 was larger than Kiln No. 1. It was shaped like an oval, about nine feet wide and ten feet deep.
Its inside was covered entirely with fireclay, like plaster. This kiln stuck out more than the others. Its front was seven feet further forward than Kiln No. 1. A large Douglas fir tree grew between Kiln No. 1 and Kiln No. 2. This tree started growing after 1870 and caused a lot of damage to both kilns. Kiln No. 2 still has a well-preserved arched entrance at the front.
Kiln No. 3: The Northern Kiln
Kiln No. 3 is to the north of Kiln No. 2. It was about the same size, also an oval shape. It was about nine and a half feet wide and nearly ten feet deep. Another large Douglas fir tree grew right out of this kiln's pit.
Sadly, parts of this kiln were removed over time. Before 1940, the entire arched entrance was taken away. It was rebuilt in a nearby town called Bolinas as part of a barbecue pit! Some individual stones were also taken from these kilns. People used them for things like rock gardens, fireplaces, or walls. This kind of damage, along with trees and bushes growing on them, has caused the kilns to decay over the years.
