For well over a decade, I have extensively photographed Wisconsin lime kiln locations in Wisconsin. Since travels for work (pre-Covid days) took me to states in the midwest and Rocky Mountain region I often researched remnants of lime kilns on my itinerary, often resulting in locating and photographing structures in Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Utah, and Colorado. This is not an exhaustive documentation of these kiln site, rather they are sites my travels permitted me to visit.
One of the kilns I visited back in 2010 was known as the Grey Cloud kiln on a backwater of the Mississippi River near Cottage Grove, Minnesota. The kiln on Grey Cloud Island was operated by William B. Cowan from about 1873 until 1902. It was a single shaft perpetual kiln.
Historical documentation suggests that lime operations may have been in operation here starting in the mid-1850’s. The kiln was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
Unfortunately the kiln collapsed in 2014. As reported in the Star Tribune, historic flood waters reached the bottom level of the kiln causing it to collapse. As a result, the kiln may lose its place on the National Register.
I have not revisited the site since the kiln collapsed, but on any upcoming trip to Minnesota I hope to return to see what remains after the flooding seven years ago
