Walkersville in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Grinder/Slaker Shed
The reduction process—pulverizing lump quicklime into smaller sizes primarily for agricultural use—took place in this building. Workers brought quicklime (5 in.-8 in. in diameter) here from the kilns and fed it on a chute to the grinder (also called the hammer mills). The grinder pulverized the quicklime into smaller pieces.
Another process, called slaking, could then reduce the quicklime into powder. Slaking involved applying water to a pile of quicklime. Workers bagged the powdered lime and stored it in large warehouses east of the kilns and along the railroad tracks.
Farmers purchased lime here at the site, or the lime was shipped by rail or truck to be sold elsewhere. The lime from Fountain Rock was used primarily to balance the pH (reduce the acidity) of farmers' fields, but could also be used for whitewash, preserving foods, mortar, plaster, medicine, and disinfection of animal pens and outhouses.
Erected by Frederick County Parks & Recreation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.
Location. 39° 28.531′ N, 77° 22.03′ W. Marker is in Walkersville, Maryland, in Frederick
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Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Central Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Chemistry in the Kiln (a few steps from this marker); Atop the Kilns (a few steps from this marker); Inside the Kiln (within shouting distance of this marker); Crusher Shed (within shouting distance of this marker); Working the Kilns (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Fountain Rock Lime Kilns (within shouting distance of this marker); The Quarry (within shouting distance of this marker); Watercress Farming (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Walkersville.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 274 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 9, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
