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Photographer: Barry Swackhamer
Taken: August 19, 2012
Caption: Historic Lime Kilns Marker
Additional Description: Steps in Making Lime 1. The first step was to break the limestone into chunks, each about the size of a man’s head.
2. To load the kiln, the chunks of limestone were first stacked to form and arch 4 to 5 feet high and from the front to the rear walls. These created chambers for the fuel and supported the rest of the load.

3. After the arches were completed, the kiln was stacked to the top with limestone.

4. Two men, working 12-hour shifts, kept the fire going 24 hours per day for 3 or 4 days. A single firing consumed 20 cords of redwood.

5. It took about 2 days for the kiln to cool enough so that the lime could be unloaded and packed in barrels.

6. Horse-drawn wagons, each holding fifty barrels, delivered the product to the train depot in Felton.
Submitted: August 31, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
Database Locator Identification Number: p217794
File Size: 2.714 Megabytes

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