107- The Largest Limeworks West of the Mississippi

Roche Harbor, located on San Juan Island, has a long and fascinating history of lime production that dates back to the late 19th century. Lime production in Roche Harbor played a significant role in the economic development of the region and left a lasting legacy that is still evident to this day.
The story of lime production in Roche Harbor begins in the 1880s when a young Englishman named John S. McMillin arrived on San Juan Island. Recognizing the island's rich limestone deposits and its potential for lime production, McMillin saw an opportunity to establish a thriving industry. He formed the Roche Harbor Lime Company in 1886, and the company began extracting limestone and converting it into lime.
The process of lime production in Roche Harbor involved several steps. First, large quantities of limestone were quarried from the nearby hills. The limestone was then crushed into smaller pieces and loaded onto barges that were floated to the lime kilns located at the harbor. The kilns were built of large blocks of sandstone and stood tall on the waterfront.
Inside the kilns, the limestone was stacked in layers with alternating layers of wood. Once the kilns were filled, they were sealed and heated for several days. The intense heat from the burning wood would break down the limestone, converting it into quicklime, also known as calcium oxide. Quicklime had numerous industrial uses, including in construction, agriculture, and as a flux in metallurgy.
The lime produced in Roche Harbor was of exceptionally high quality due to the purity of the limestone deposits. This reputation for quality helped the Roche Harbor Lime Company to expand rapidly, and by the early 1900s, it became one of the largest lime-producing operations in the United States.
To support the growing workforce and their families, a company town was established in Roche Harbor. The town featured homes, schools, churches, a hospital, and recreational facilities, creating a close-knit community centered around the lime industry.
Over the years, advancements in technology and transportation gradually shifted the lime industry's focus away from Roche Harbor. By the mid-20th century, the demand for lime declined, and the company eventually closed its operations in the 1950s.
Today, Roche Harbor has transformed into a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors with its rich history and stunning natural beauty. Many of the lime kilns and other remnants of the lime production era have been preserved and can still be seen in the area, serving as a reminder of the island's industrial past.
Listen now to learn more about this early industry on Roche Harbor!
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