Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

aFlippantAmphibian t1_jcv71aq wrote

As someone who just hiked lime kiln trail, why were there lime kilns all the way out here??

Beautiful spot though

4

zstone t1_jcvwo8b wrote

Here you go!

tl;dr they were also mining the limestone there. The processed lime powder they made is a key ingredient in concrete, among other things. Humans have been using lime kilns to turn limestone into lime for over 12,000 years.

5

aFlippantAmphibian t1_jcvywjj wrote

Fantastic! Always entertaining to see the Pig war pop up, I remember being taught about it way back in the day.

It looks like the San Juan kilns were the big ones, largest lime kilns on the west coast according to that site. Many thanks!

3

40_lb t1_jcw3efh wrote

Roche Harbor lime rebuilt San Francisco after the big earthquake and fire

3