Buffalo Grove Lime Kiln

Infobox nrhp
name = Buffalo Grove Lime Kiln
nrhp_type =


caption = The stone Buffalo Grove Lime Kiln is one of the best preserved periodic lime kilns in Illinois.
location = Polo, Ogle County, Illinois, USA
nearest_city =
lat_degrees = 41
lat_minutes = 59
lat_seconds = 13
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 89
long_minutes = 34
long_seconds = 38
long_direction = W
area =
built = 1870 [http://gis.hpa.state.il.us/hargis/ HAARGIS Database] , Property Information Report, Buffalo Grove Lime Kiln, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Retrieved January29, 2007.]
architect =
architecture =
added = November 20, 2002 [http://www.nr.nps.gov/nrloc1.htm NRIS Database] , National Register of Historic Places, retrieved January 23, 2007.]
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
refnum = 02001348
mpsub =
governing_body =

Buffalo Grove Lime Kiln is one of two old lime kilns in Illinois listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The other is the Griggsville Landing Lime Kiln in Pike County. Buffalo Grove Lime Kiln is located near the Ogle County city of Polo. When in use, the kiln would have produced raw quicklime. The lime kiln was added to the National Register in 2002.

Location

The Buffalo Grove Lime Kiln is found outside of the city of Polo, off Galena Trail Road. The kiln sits on the floor of a limestone quarry, a little over convert|1400|ft|m from the road. Railroad tracks pass by within ten feet to the kiln's south and Buffalo Creek is just over the railroad tracks. The quarry's limestone bluffs are set off to the north, behind the kiln.

Characteristics

Kiln

d roof. Attached to the kiln section, is a dry shed/lime house, into which the draw section open. The dry shed was long gone when the kiln was restored in 1992 and had to be replaced along with the deteriorated original wood sections topping the base.

Dimensions

Inside the kiln the fire brick column extends convert|25|ft|m into the air and has an interior diameter of six feet. Below, at the kiln's base, is a four foot section for cooling, below that are the draw outs. The handcut stone base is convert|16|ft|m square by convert|16|ft|m high. The dry shed is nine feet high by convert|12|ft|m wide and sits on a six foot stone base. [http://gis.hpa.state.il.us/hargis/PDFs/221923.pdf Buffalo Grove Lime Kiln] (PDF), National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, HAARGIS Database, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Retrieved January 29, 2007.]

History

After sitting idle for decades the Buffalo Grove Lime Kiln was acquired by the Polo Historical Society in 1985. They began clearing trees, brush and debris around the kiln. A restoration project began in 1992 at a cost of $10,000. [ [http://www.poloil.net/lime_kiln.htm Lime Kiln on Historical Register!] , City of Polo, Official site, Retrieved January 24, 2007.] The lime kiln at Buffalo Grove has had a long history that dates back even further than the lime kiln that stands on the site today.

Restoration

In 1992 a restoration project began under the guidance of the Polo Historical Society and member Paul Graehling. The old, loose mortar had to be removed from around the stones and replaced. The replacement was a fifty percent mortar fifty percent cement mix, to preserve the restoration. The wooden upper portion of the kiln had deteriorated completely beyond repair and had to be entirely replaced. The top portion was constructed in sections off-site and then lifted into place using a crane. The whole structure was then topped with an aluminum roof to protect it from future deterioration. The attachment of the roof rendered the kiln inoperable, although, if it were removed the Buffalo Grove Lime Kiln would be fully functional and ready for lime production.

The lime house, attached to the kiln, was also fully restored. When the lime kiln was in use the small, attached room had served as a storage area but it had been gone since at least the 1930s. Using early historical photographs as references, the lime house was reconstructed atop a stone foundation. The lumber used to construct the new lime house was authentic late-19th century barn lumber. Atop, the lime house, like the kiln itself, an aluminum roof was placed.

The restoration was completed in 1993 at a final cost of around $10,000.

Notes