Inverhuron Lime Kiln

THE KINCARDINE NEWS
By Troy Patterson
Wednesday October 18, 2006

The Inverhuron Lime Kiln is being revitalized as a piece of heritage for another generation.

Although in 2006 the kiln is just a “glorified flower garden” the site was originally built in 1901 to bake limestone to be used in some of the area’s first concrete foundations. It was later restored in 1951 for its historical significance to the area at the Lime Kiln Cottages, which still holds its name.

“It was important to bring it back for the visitors,” said owner Terry Funston, who took over the property two years ago. “The resort started in the 1930s after (the kiln) closed... but the footprint is the same today.” Funston acquired the 20 hydro poles needed for the project from former owners Lyle and Lois Osborn, who he said were a lot of help in seeing the kiln’s restoration through. “Their hearts were in it and they definitely wanted to see it done,” he said.

Only three logs remained at the site before it was dismantled on September 23 when the dig began. They were rotted out and had to be done over,” Funston said, who later added that a portion of the foundation had to be repaired as well.

He said when they started the rebuild last Wednesday, he and helper Stewart Neely, “didn’t have a clue” what they were doing. But Funston gave credit to Ontario Crane Rentals Ian Jarvis, for using his knowledge of log home construction to help them assemble and fasten the logs.

Funston plans to refill the structure with dirt later when he gets some dry weather, but may not fully complete the project until spring.

The kiln was built by John Holms and taken over by John Smith, who operated it from 1901 to 1925. Limestone, cut from Lake Huron, would be carried to the site and stacked end to end in the oven. “It was like a big stove,” Funston said.

The lime would then be fired for three days and nights until it was red hot. The dried product would then be covered, cooled and later shoveled out by workers and sold for 10 cents a bushel.

The kiln has since been sealed as a safety precaution, but they’ll continue to decorate the site with flowers and shrubs, as it’s commonly known for.

“The flowers are really beautiful around it,” said Funston. Once the project is completed, he hopes to build a gazebo or something to help beautify and preserve the site for future visitors to enjoy.

Clean fun and fond memories at Inverhuron Lime Kiln
TROY PATTERSON
Kincardine News Staff

Aside from being a memorable tourist destination for generations, the Inverhuron Lime Kiln has a lot of history behind it.
Lime Kiln Cottages owner Jill Funston, who has owned the resort with her husband Terry y since 2004, shared part of this s history with a handful of attendees as part of Walker House Kincardine's ' Gone to the Beach' h' speaker series last Tuesday (Aug. g. 3).
Funston explained how the kiln ln has been passed down through the he caring hands of owners, like the he hand-made lime kiln model clock ck and a painting that have stayed at the kiln since it ceased operations ns in 1929 and was turned into the Lime Kiln Lodge in 1930.
"Both the clock and the painting have been passed from owner to owner," she said. "For me, I love to hear the stories and the experiences of the simpler times of days gone by."
The Inverhuron Lime Kiln is responsible for providing much of the lime for foundations within the hamlet and the surrounding region.
It operated for half a century, which began with landowner Don McLellan in 1871. Of the original 160 acres, two in the north-west corner of the property were to become the lime kiln.
The only remaining kiln on the lakeshore today, workers would have gathered limestone from the surrounding area and fired the kiln with driftwood, and cuttings from local woodlands. The limestone was burned for two days and nights under constant watch, before being cooled to form lime. The product was then sold for about 10¢ a bushel and used for construction within the local area.
The kiln has seen restoration work at least two times, first in 1951, and in 2006 after the Funstons took over the property from Lyle and Lois Osborne. It took 20 hydro poles to restore the kiln, of which three original logs remain after the kiln collapsed over time.
John Holmes operated the kiln from 1901 to 1925, until two visionary women by the name of Helen Oliver and Ida Parry started its tourism history as a tea room and oneroom grocery store.
The lodge incorporated the former residence of Malcolm MacLeod, which became a lounge and enclosed sunporch. The two eventually added 23 small cabins, a recreation hall, main office and leisure activities.
"Former staff have just been a wealth of information," said Funston, who has heard stories from many who enjoyed or worked at the kiln over the years.
The Lime Kiln Leader newspaper kept tabs on the on-goings of the lodge over the years, with copies from the 1950's maintained today and on the resort website.
The stories tell of a simpler time before electronic distractions, when square dancing, theme nights, badminton, hayrides, funny hat days, men's fashion shows and blind-folded banana-feeding games with
" plastic egg cup trophies" kept people entertained and coming back each year. "It was all just such clean fun," she said. But there was also mention of shenanigans that went on between staff and visitors, when the cabins were divided between males and females. Mrs. Parry's cottage was positioned in between to "police" their actions.
Former staff member Eunice Brown, who met her husband Jack at the lodge and has been married 56 years, shared stories about sneaking mattresses out behind the cabins on hot nights, to staple chicken, mashed potatoes, vegetable and pie dinners, with birthday cakes with coins baked in for children on vacation; 10¢ in the winner's slice.
"Everyone who worked for or know Mrs. Parry loved the woman," said Funston, who said their traditions continued into the 1940's and 1950's.
With no indoor facilities, water boys would carry cold drinking water and steaming hot water to the cabins, so visitors could wash up and men could shave.
Sandy Flemming, the grandson of early settlers Andre and Anna Paulsen, shared a story with Funston about his time as a water boy. He recalled a movie night at the rec hall where he snuck in late to hop up on his mother's lap, only to realize at the end of the movie that it wasn't his mother at all.
"He still remembers the embarrassment of that moment," she said.
The dining room would be bustling with waitresses serving breakfast, while staff would be ready to help patrons ready their vessels for a day on the lake at the boat launch.
Laundry was washed by hand and left to air dry. One attendee recalled a time when she was scolded for playing within the sheets.
By 1960 the resort was sold to partners, Harry Edwards, Jack Preston, and Coffee and Bob Martin.
Local cottager Janet Robertson shared her memories of working at the event with Funston as well. Since staff were to be in by 11 p.m., they'd often be sneaking out by 11:30 p.m. and had it down to an art.
Other owners included Danny Grummett, who bought the resort with his wife in 1965. His daughters shared their memories with Funston a few years ago, where they recalled the tear down of the beds in the fall and replanting, set up and clean-up once May 24 weekend came about once more.
In a time when environmental issues were virtually non-existent, she explained one story about how she became "good with a gun" by shooting holes in barrels that were to become make-shift septic tanks for small cabins, which was common place at the time, she said.
Helmut Peterman was another notable owner who followed and had a reputation of being a great dancer. Women would wait all evening at the Inverhuron Dance Pavilion for a chance to dance for him, but sadly, he died what he loved doing when he collapsed one night on the dance floor.
Funston said she's open to anyone dropping in to tour the historic site, or staying a day or two.
"Who wouldn't be happy living on the grounds of a place that has brought decades of happiness to so many people," she said.
For more information Click on
l i m e k i l n c o t t a g e s . c o m
OR
www.walkerhousekincardine.com

home     top

revised 2010 Aug 10