The Gainesville Marble Belt, consisting of magnesian limestone and dolomite among other minerals, runs from Hall County northeastward into South Carolina, near the Habersham-Stephens County line.   Before and after the Civil War, these marbles were burnt for lime at several locations. Remains of a few of these lime kilns can still be found. Kiln 1: Billy Walker Lime Kiln, Habersham County: I had originally visited this kiln back in the spring, but the lighting was terrible that day...

This circular kiln was built into the side of a steep bank. A road was cut in the bank to the top of the kiln for loading.

The kiln was originally 19 feet tall and 12 feet in diameter. It was of the "mixed feed" type.

While much of the mossy stone structure still stands, the upper section has collapsed within itself. This view of the draw hole reveals the inside filled with rubble.

Looking into the circular kiln interior from the top. It is almost completely filled with rubble.

A wider view of the kiln A 1912 report states that lime had been burned here for local use for more than 30 years.

It's hard to make out much in this image, but this is part of the adjacent quarried area.

Lime Kiln 2, Habersham County: The remains of this kiln present a different picture.

This kiln was also built into a steep bank, but here, the front walls have collapsed outward.

The shape of this kiln appears to have been more oval-shaped than circular.

Interior walls of the back section of the kiln, showing the effects of many burnings.

Unlike the first kiln, I have not discovered much information about this one. Extensive outcrops of siliceous dolomitic marble were reported here, and the remains of quarrying can be seen. There were two more kilns in the general vicinity which I haven't looked for yet. So hopefully, more to come...

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