Walkersville in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Chemistry in the Kiln
During a burn, temperatures inside each kiln reached 1500°-1700° Fahrenheit. This high heat chemically changed the limestone. Once the limestone had been burned (the proper term is calcination), the resulting product was called quicklime.
CaCO3 + Heat = CaO + CO2↑
Calcium Carbonate (Limestone or Bluestone) + Heat = Calcium Oxide (Quicklime, or Burnt Lime) + Carbon Dioxide
The procedure caused the stone to become lighter in weight, have fewer impurities, and become easier to pulverize into smaller sizes or into powdered lime.
The kilns are approximately twenty-one feet deep and eight feet in diameter. Woody Handley, who lived at the kilns from 1935-1950, and was for a time the kiln manager, told of personally relining each kiln with new brick every couple years as the lining corroded and broke down.
Erected by Frederick County Parks & Recreation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1935.
Location. 39° 28.524′ N, 77° 22.041′ W. Marker is in Walkersville, Maryland, in Frederick County. Marker can be reached from Fountain Rock
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Atop the Kilns (here, next to this marker); Grinder / Slaker Shed (a few steps from this marker); Inside the Kiln (a few steps from 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 July 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 133 times since then and 6 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.
