Historic Sites of Manitoba: Stonewall Limestone Quarries and Kilns (Stonewall)

Quarrying at Stonewall began around 1880 as part of an emerging limestone industry in southern and central Manitoba. The Stonewall quarries were noted for their continuous production of various limestone-based construction materials. The quarries were long the economic mainstay of the town.

While ordinary building stone was taken in the early years of settlement, the more significant aspect of the Stonewall trade was to be the high quality quicklime produced in the kilns by burning limestone. The whiteness of this product placed it in demand for use in plasters. Commercial quarrying ceased in 1967 with the depletion of high quality reserves of Stonewall Formation limestone.

Additional kilns stand abandoned east and across the road from the Stonewall Quarry Park (about N50.13992, W97.31880).

A plaque was placed at this site by the Historic Sites Advisory Board of Manitoba.

Limestone kilns at Stonewall

Limestone kilns at Stonewall (May 2019)
Source: Rose Kuzina

Aerial view of the Limestone kilns at Stonewall

Aerial view of the Limestone kilns at Stonewall (August 2019)
Source: George Penner

Aerial view of the Limestone kilns at Stonewall

Limestone kilns at Stonewall (June 2022)
Source: George Penner

Stonewall quarry plaque with kilns in background

Stonewall quarry plaque with kilns in background (2008)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough

Site 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)

Sources:

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough, Rose Kuzina, and George Penner.

Page revised: 1 June 2022

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