A Surviving Remnant From Ogden's Past

A Surviving Remnant From Ogden's Past. . This historic kiln was built in 1865 by James Moroni Thomas. Virtually a giant fireplace, the kiln was used to produce lime needed for pioneer era construction in Ogden. The lime produced by the kiln was hauled to the southwest corner of 24th Street and Grant Avenue, where it was sold by the bushel or wagonload to "white washers" or builders who used it in making mortar and plaster. The kiln reportedly produced - 300 bushels of lime a day, and it played an important role in supplying much of the lime used in the construction of many residential, municipal, and commercial structures in Ogden in the late 1800s. When Portland cement came into wide use in the early 1900s, lime was utilized less in construction, and the kiln was no longer needed. , , How Did the Kiln Make Lime? , Limestone was quarried in the canyon, broken into small pieces of stone, and brought by wagons to the kiln. Successive layers of wood and limestone were placed in the circular burning chamber at the top of the kiln. When the loading was complete, a fire was kindled at the base of the kiln, and the flames and heat spread upward through the wood and limestone. Over several days, the super-heat generated in the kiln transformed the limestone into quicklime which dropped down into the "hole" at the bottom where it was scooped out. , , Restoring a Piece of Ogden's History , (photo caption)This photo shows the Ogden Canyon kiln as it appeared before restoration. , , Over many years, the kiln deteriorated to a pile of rubble. Weather, age, and vandalism played a role in its ruin. In the 1980s, the kiln was "re-discovered" when the U. S. Forest Service found a wagon axle and other artifacts at the site. Restoration work started in 2003, with volunteers contributing to the effort. Stones were gathered from surrounding canyons and nearby riverbeds. Thanks to a Recreation/Arts/Museum/Parks grant from Weber County, the restoration was completed in 2008. , , (photo captions) , A historic photo of Ogden Canyon at the time that the kiln was in use. The kiln can be seen in the lower right corner of the photo , , A historic photo showing the kiln several years after it had been abandoned.