With a little community support, a hidden gem could become a local attraction.
A landowner and a group of volunteers are working to stabilize an old limekiln with the intention of sharing it with the public.
The kiln, located on the property of Bill Franks near Duntroon, is located just 50 metres off the Bruce Trail.
Dick Edwards, a Bruce Trail member who is volunteering to help with the kiln project, said trail officials are willing to extend a short side trail to the site but in order to make the limekiln site safe for visitors there is much work that needs to be done.
“It’s extremely well constructed for the fact that it’s more than 100 years old. I have seen a number of them along the escarpment and most of them are nothing more than a pile of rubble but this is an amazing structure,” said Edwards.
All the work is expected to cost more than $20,000 but since fundraising began in the fall, some donations have come in. About $13,000 is still needed to pay for the masonry work that needs to be done.
At one time, there were several limekilns in the area.
Like a huge outdoor fireplace, this kiln is about 20 feet deep and is thought to have been built in the mid 1800s.
Limestone rocks were layered with wood into a tall silo type structure and then set on fire. When the fire died down after several days, a powdered lime remained. It was transported by horse and wagon along dirt roads to Glen Huron to be weighed and then sent on to the local train station. From there it was delivered to Toronto where it would be used in construction, especially to make cement.
Edwards commends Franks for being community minded and willing to open his property to hikers and other visitors in the future.
“He has this historic structure and he would like to have it open for everyone to see,” said Edwards. “It’s going to become a tourist attraction in Clearview.”
He said the site will not open until it is safe for visitors. It is hoped that the stabilization work can begin this summer. To donate, contact Dick Edwards at 705-445-5849 or Bill Franks at 705-445-4006.