One of the last Wisconsin lime operations we will review over the next series of posts includes the vast operations at what was known as Marblehead. Marblehead is located in Fond du Lac County a few miles south east of the City of Fond du Lac and a short distance Northwest of the present day village of Eden.
Western LIme Eden Plant (Marblehead). 2010.
A lot has changed at Marblehead since this picture was taken in 2010. Western Lime is no more, It was acquired by Graymont Corporation in 2012. Sadly, the lime kilns shown in the background were removed shortly after.
Over the years a number of companies had lime operations in the Marblehead vicinity. The earliest operations began in the early 1870’s. In 1872 Wilhelm Nast and his two sons August and (George) William formed the Nast Brothers Lime and Stone Company. The Nast Brothers were prominent in the Wisconsin lime industry, starting operations in two other locations we previously visited—the operations at Nasbro and Crusher.
In 1886 the Western Lime and Cement company was incorporated. In 1921 there was a major consolidation of operations, with the merger of Western Lime several companies including the Nast Brother’s operation. William Nast was named General Manager, with V.F. Nast serving as secretary and August on board of directors.
Western Lime continued operations through the Great Depression, though only the plants at Brillion, Marblehead, High Cliff, and Nasbro remained in operation after the 1930’s.
Western Lime itself was purchased by the Graymont Corporation, a global leader in the production of lime and limestone products. After 92 years of operation by six generations of family ownership, Western Lime ceased to exist.