clspark
Jun 30, 2007, 03:07 PM
Lime Kilns
Tucson, Arizona
From the 1880’s to 1920, lime kilns were built and operated in the mountains east and west of Tucson. The two kilns photographed here were built adjacent to a small outcrop of limestone which was quarried with hand tools and removed to the kilns where it was roasted. Palo verde and mesquite wood used for fuel was gathered from the immediate area. One load of quicklime (product) took as much as 15 cords of wood and four days of roasting to produce. The lime produced was used in construction throughout the Tucson area, and also in mining. The lands around the kilns in the Tucson area were denuded of wood for miles. “The extent of woodcutting and disappearance of trees was so great that the operation of the kilns in the vicinity of the saguaro forest was ended by court order in 1920…because of the outcry of local ranchers.”
Kilns located in Saguaro National Park east and west are well documented. The two I have photographed are in the county owned Tucson Mt. Park and to my knowledge have not been documented. I discovered them while doing geology for a project I have been working on for years. Associated with the kilns is metallic debris including rusted cans, piping and tools. The location is very accessible but well hidden and bears little sign of recent disturbance.
I am currently working with the county on an unrelated geological project and have discussed the kilns with my associate, however I have yet to seriously pursue introducing the county to the kilns.
Photo #1 shows the relationship of the kilns with the quarry
Photo #2 is a ground shot of the interior of the best preserved kiln, the east kiln.
Photo #3 attempts to illustrate the glazing of the rock walls of the kiln from heat and chemical reaction.
Photo #4 another lower angle oblique
The historical information was gathered by googling and quoting from an Arizona Daily Star article dated 05-09-06
Tucson, Arizona
From the 1880’s to 1920, lime kilns were built and operated in the mountains east and west of Tucson. The two kilns photographed here were built adjacent to a small outcrop of limestone which was quarried with hand tools and removed to the kilns where it was roasted. Palo verde and mesquite wood used for fuel was gathered from the immediate area. One load of quicklime (product) took as much as 15 cords of wood and four days of roasting to produce. The lime produced was used in construction throughout the Tucson area, and also in mining. The lands around the kilns in the Tucson area were denuded of wood for miles. “The extent of woodcutting and disappearance of trees was so great that the operation of the kilns in the vicinity of the saguaro forest was ended by court order in 1920…because of the outcry of local ranchers.”
Kilns located in Saguaro National Park east and west are well documented. The two I have photographed are in the county owned Tucson Mt. Park and to my knowledge have not been documented. I discovered them while doing geology for a project I have been working on for years. Associated with the kilns is metallic debris including rusted cans, piping and tools. The location is very accessible but well hidden and bears little sign of recent disturbance.
I am currently working with the county on an unrelated geological project and have discussed the kilns with my associate, however I have yet to seriously pursue introducing the county to the kilns.
Photo #1 shows the relationship of the kilns with the quarry
Photo #2 is a ground shot of the interior of the best preserved kiln, the east kiln.
Photo #3 attempts to illustrate the glazing of the rock walls of the kiln from heat and chemical reaction.
Photo #4 another lower angle oblique
The historical information was gathered by googling and quoting from an Arizona Daily Star article dated 05-09-06