LASR.net Homepage




Menu


Smith Lime Kiln


category : National Register
Smith Lime Kiln

A long-abandoned lime kiln, looking very much like a large stone chimney stands along the River Road northwest of Fairbury. For a period of at least 20 years, it was the sight of a lime-burning operation where limestone was heated, or "calcined", until it became lime. There it has stood since the early 1870's.


Lime at that time was used mainly as mortar or plaster. It was sold locally and shipped in barrels to points up and down the St. Joseph and Denver City Railroad, now part of the Union Pacific system. The kiln operator, Woral C. "Limekiln" Smith, used some of his own product in building the stone home a short distance away. Here, he, his wife and two sons lived, and here he died in 1906. The old kiln and home are relics of this once small but useful and thriving pioneer industry. The old kiln and home now belong to the Jefferson County Historical Society, and are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The house was restored in 1976 as a Bi-centennial project and contains displays depicting its history.



Hours: Open to the public Sundays 2-4 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Address: Hwy. 136 West to River Road (gravel), North 4 to 4 1/2 miles
Phone: (402) 729-5131

Come visit us in Fairbury, Nebraska

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Historic Homes Tour

1112 C Street: American Foursquare home built in 1902 by B.G. Dawson.

1016 D Street: Gothic-Georgian Revival 1910 Showhouse built by architect W.F. Gernandt.

822 E Street: Italiante home built in the 1870s.

1007 E Street:

Fairbury, NE Tours

Historic Square

The Fairbury Commercial District, consisting of a 10-block downtown area of 97 contributing buildings, was officially entered in the National Register of Historic Places on June 20, 1997

Fairbury, NE National Register

George Winslow Monument

This monument is situated on a grassy knoll of a field. On April 26, 1849, 25 members of the Boston-Newton Joint Stock Association left Boston, Mass., to travel overland to the gold fields of California. On May 29

Fairbury, NE Monuments

Fairbury City Museum

This museum has been located for many years on the west side of the downtown square in Fairbury. It is now in a larger building that allows the display of items in a much more pleasant atmosphere and has more space for new items. The museum'

Fairbury, NE Museums

Campbell Bros. Circus -1885 to 1913

"Above the roar of the lions, the music of the calliope, and the laughter and chatter of the throngs of people, the cries of the circus barker were heard throughout the towns and cities where this great circus performed."

"

Fairbury, NE One Of A Kinds

Things to do National Register near Fairbury, NE

Weeping Water Historic District-NHR

The town of Weeping Water was incorporated in December 1870. It was known as the "stone city" because of ...

Ashland Bridge - NHR

In late August 1935 the Saunders County Commissioners voted to file for funding from the Federal Emergency Rel...