Limehouse in Halton Hills in Halton Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Limehouse Powder Magazine
Photographed by Tim Boyd, August 26, 2026
1. Limehouse Powder Magazine Marker
Limestone Quarry History
In the mid 1800s, when the lime industry of Limehouse was just beginning, natural lime was mined from beds of limewater shale which occur naturally along the Niagara Escarpment. Chunks of limestone that had sheared off naturally from the limestone outcroppings in the area were gathered and brought to the kilns to be burned. However, as demand for lime-based products increased, limestone quarries were needed to produce enough raw material.
You are standing in the middle of what was once a large limestone quarry (see Quarry Area, 1890-1917 map below) which supplied the raw materials to be burned in the kilns on this site. Explosives were used to free chunks of limestone prior to processing and a secure, dry building was required to store the very sensitive black powder used in the blasting process.
The small masonry powder magazine you see before you was built to house these explosives. It is located in a slight depression in the old quarry floor presumably to limit debris in case of an accidental explosion.
Constructed of masonry-covered coursed lime-stone, the building's walls are approximately
this page online
Powder Magazine Restoration
By the 1990s vandals and the weather had taken their toll on the condition of the powder magazine. A Trillium grant was obtained in 2003 and restoration work ran through July - September 2004.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is September 2004.
Location. 43° 38.225′ N, 79° 58.688′ W. Marker is in Halton Hills, Ontario, in Halton Region. It is in Limehouse. It can be reached from Fifth Line. The marker is in the Limehouse Conservation Area, on the Bruce Trail approx. 150 metres from the entrance at Fifth Line and 22 Sideroad, and then about 10 metres off the trail, near the Powder Magazine. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12169 Fifth Line, Halton Hills ON L0P 1H0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto, specifically on the Golden Horseshoe, in the Hamilton-Halton-Brant Area, and
Photographed by Tim Boyd, August 26, 2026
2. Limehouse Powder Magazine Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Limehouse and Early Industries (a few steps from this marker); Limehouse Memorial Hall (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Limehouse Memorial Garden (about 150 meters away); Site of the Georgetown Wesleyan Methodist Meeting House and Cemetery (approx. 2.7 kilometers away); Devereaux House (approx. 3.4 kilometers away); Founding of Georgetown / Fondation de Georgetown (approx. 4.4 kilometers away); Congregational Church (approx. 4.4 kilometers away); Georgetown Lawn Bowling Club (approx. 4.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Halton Hills.
Photographed by Tim Boyd, August 26, 2026
3. The restored Limehouse Powder Magazine in 2026
Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 28, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
