Limestone quarrying at Stonewall began around 1880 as part of an emerging industry in southern and central Manitoba. While ordinary building stone was taken in the early years of settlement, the more significant aspect of the Stonewall trade was the high quality quicklime produced in high-temperature kilns by burning limestone. The whiteness of this product placed it in demand for use in plasters.
A series of “pot kilns” in the Stonewall Quarry Park were constructed around 1882 by brothers Enoch and Joseph Williams. There are seven of them, in a row, because it took seven days to produce a batch of lime: one day to load a kiln with rock, three days to calcinate it, two days for the kiln to cool down, and one day to shovel out the lime.
Nearby are three “draw kilns”, the oldest of which dates from 1904. A second kiln was built beside it two years later. The third kiln was constructed in 1912. The kilns operated 24 hours a day, year-round. Commercial quarrying ceased in 1967 with the depletion of high quality reserves of Stonewall Formation limestone.
A three-phase “Save the Kilns” project began in 2019. The first phase involves rebuilding the youngest of the three draw kilns. It was carefully disassembled and its stones were labeled so they could be reassembled as they were before. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. This first phase is estimated to cost $1.8 million and contributions were received from Manitoba government, Town of Stonewall, Rockwood Quarry Producers, and private donors through the Interlake Community Foundation. When sufficient funds are raised, the next two phases will entail restoration of the other two draw kilns. There are no plans to restore the pot kilns, which are surrounded by a chain link fence.
A commemorative plaque was placed at this site by the Historic Sites Advisory Board of Manitoba.
Additional kilns stand abandoned east and across the road from the Quarry Park, about N50.13992, W97.31880.
Limestone kilns at Stonewall (May 2019)
Source: Rose Kuzina
Aerial view of the Limestone kilns at Stonewall (August 2019)
Source: George Penner
Limestone kilns at Stonewall (June 2022)
Source: George Penner
Limestone kiln under restoration (October 2024)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Limestone kiln under restoration (October 2024)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
A firebrick used in the draw kiln to resist the heat of calcination (October 2024)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Stonewall quarry plaque with kilns in background (2008)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
A view into the top of pot kilns at the site (October 2024)
Source: Gordon GoldsboroughSite Coordinates (lat/long): N50.14217, W97.32689
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Quarry Park Heritage Arts Centre (166 Main Street, Stonewall)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Garson Limestone Quarries and Kilns (Garson, RM of Brokenhead)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Rosehill Limestone Quarry and Kilns (Municipality of West Interlake)
We thank Allan Webb for providing information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough, Rose Kuzina, and George Penner.
Page revised: 16 November 2024
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