Sometimes history is right around the corner, just under your nose. You can travel to big museums, and be amazed and immersed. However, there’s a certain thrill to unearthing something special nearby that frequently goes unnoticed. And that’s just what happened to me.
At the Bolton Historical Society, I had been told that there was an old pump log mill, lime quarry, and kiln off of one of the local trails. The kiln had been partially rebuilt, there were a few remains of the mill, they said, and don’t go one way or you might get lost.
So I finally decided to go see for myself what was left. I made sure to take the more straightforward route to avoid getting lost.
I drove past it the first time. There is a small, dirt parking lot off the side of the road with a sign behind it. Fortunately, Bolton Spring Farms is nearby, and I was able to turn around with minimal time lost. A board stands at the trailhead, with a map that you’re welcome to borrow. I recommend snapping a photo of the metal sign: numbered posts that are along the trail are labeled there.
The Pump Log Mill
- Pump logs were wooden pipes
- Hollowing out a log was a hard, tedious process
- Black locust wood was the best choice for durability
Just down the Bob Horton Memorial trail is a slightly precarious-looking bridge. You can go straight at this point for a longer walk, but I crossed the bridge -which held firm- to get to the kiln and quarry faster.
The bridge is actually built over the remains of the dam used for the pump mill. In the information booklet, it says to look closely for floor boards near the stream. I think I found one! I also really appreciated the booklets found by each landmark, which gave pictures, diagrams, and descriptions of the historical significance of the sites.
These pump logs, wooden pipes, were actually buried underground when finished. Holes were bored through the center using extremely long augers. Often, the wood shavings would build up, and the auger would have to be removed, cleaned, and reinserted.
The Lime Kiln and Quarry
- Limestone is superheated to be used for plaster and other things
- The limestone deposit in Bolton was the second one found in New England
- In the 1800’s, the Whitcomb Quarry filled with water so quickly that the oxen were drowned
Tucked away in one of Bolton’s conservation lands, there are the remnants of a once-bustling industry. Large, uneven craters filled with water pock the forest. Trees enclose the rocky faces of the quarries, and grass and dirt are built up around the kiln.
The History
The two smaller quarries are the original ones. John Whitcomb, the third generation to own the land, was the first to mine the stone. Colonists used the limestone derivatives to plaster their homes. As only the second lime quarry in New England, Whitcomb’s products were in high demand for use by the burgeoning population.
At his death in 1785, Whitcomb bequeathed the business to two of his sons. One son died at the age of 40, and his share was divided among the family. When the surviving son died, the company was sold off. Shortly afterwards, an underground water source was struck by mistake.
The water poured in with such force that men were running for their lives. Some even said that the oxen who powered the machine used to lift limestone were drowned. However, the story remained untested until the quarry was pumped dry in 1937 and metal ox shoes were discovered.
The reason the pit was pumped out was to allow another company to take a stab at excavation. A business from Somerville leased the land, hoping to glean limestone to produce agricultural lime. Constant pumping was required to keep the quarry dry. When equipment was soon damaged by the Bolton limestone’s uncommon hardness, the company left.
No commercial purpose has rallied people to the quarry since.
The Process
In order to convert limestone into the much desired quicklime, the rock must be fired. Kilns were constructed out of the very rock that was excavated from the site. But this stone didn’t burn, as the soaring temperatures formed a protective glaze around them. This effectively sealed in all heat.
When loading the cylindrical kiln, larger pieces of limestone were placed in an arch at the bottom. Smaller pieces were filled in above. The arch allowed space for a fire to be built beneath. Once the fire was lit, and the entire kiln was hot, the heat was maintained for three to four days.
Along with the sinking of the kiln’s contents, the amount of effort used to pass a metal rod through the lime determined whether the process was complete or not.
Once the firing was finished, the new, caustic substance of quicklime was removed. With the addition of water and sand, the quicklime would eventually convert back to limestone when exposed to carbon dioxide. Now the colonists had a sturdy resource to use for mortar and plaster in their homes.
Surprisingly, only one or two firings per year could provide the annual lime required for a small community.
Every place has history; but it’s not always obvious. Knowing the stories behind our cities, states, and countries gives us special connections to our home. Explore your surroundings! You might just discover something exciting and new.
This is lovely! Thank you for writing about pump logs and the lime kiln.
Do you have a picture of a pump log? I would love to put it in my Halifax (VT) newsletter (https://czresearch.com/newsletter/).