The Sharon Valley Lime Kiln, a historical gem in Sharon, Connecticut, offers a fascinating glimpse into the town's industrial past and the significance of lime production in the region. This remarkable structure, the most visible remnant of Sharon Valley's industrial era, stands proudly at the base of the hill on Sharon Station Road. Constructed from local marble, it played a crucial role in the area's development for approximately three decades during the later stages of Sharon's industrial history.

When Sharon was officially incorporated as a town in 1739, its industrial landscape was in its nascent stages, with various enterprises emerging. These included gristmills, sawmills, cider mills, flax mills, satinet and fulling mills, carriage and wagon shops, among others. As the 19th century progressed, Sharon's Hotchkiss Manufacturing Company thrived, producing hardware, tools, and even explosive cannon shells used during the Civil War. Simultaneously, the Noyes Malleable Iron Works produced thousands of Bostwick mouse traps each year. The Sharon Valley also boasted Bradley's Blast Furnace, later known as the Sharon Valley Iron Company, which produced pig iron for an impressive seventy-three years, making it the longest-lasting blast furnace in Connecticut.

In addition to these accomplishments, lime production from local resources became another integral part of Sharon's industrial history. The abundant Stockbridge marble in the region was utilized for this purpose. The marble was loaded with iron ore and charcoal in blast furnaces for smelting, and the intense heat of the furnace converted the marble into lime, which played a crucial role as a flux in the smelting process.

The journey into lime production in Sharon began in 1814 when the town's first commercial lime kiln was constructed near the west bank of Webutuck Creek in Sharon Valley. Although details about this early kiln are scarce, remnants suggest it was a substantial structure. During this period, calcined lime was primarily used by farmers to improve upland soils.

Captain Hiram Weed, a prominent industrialist in Sharon known for his charcoal production and blast furnace, had also been involved in lime production before his other endeavors. Weed's Quarry, located off the west side of White Hollow Road, was put into production around 1842 and contained high-quality calcium carbonate marble.

In 1843, Hiram Weed's kiln in White Hollow became operational, following a similar intermittent kiln model as its predecessors. After each cycle, the lime was raked out and barrelled once it had sufficiently cooled. As demand for lime continued to rise in the mid-1870s, the Sharon Valley Lime Kiln emerged as the first perpetual or continuous kiln in the town. This groundbreaking kiln was constructed by the accomplished furnace mason Isaac Newton Bartram, a multi-talented figure in local history.

The Sharon Valley Kiln, constructed with Stockbridge dolomitic marble, featured a square base measuring 18 feet 4 inches on each side, standing at approximately 19 feet 4 inches in height. The kiln's loading bridge extended from the west bank, providing access to the extensive platform encircling the top of the kiln.

To enhance stability, white oak timber binders were installed at two levels, reinforcing the structure. The kiln had draft openings on both the east and west sides, originally equipped with large hinged draft doors for controlling interior combustion. The lime tap gate, situated on the south face, provided access for workers to remove the calcined lime from the kiln. A protective shed-like structure covered the lime rake-out area.

Lime from the kiln was sold locally to farmers and builders, with purchasers transporting it by horse and wagon. It was also shipped by rail from Sharon Station to other destinations. The kiln remained operational until around 1905, outlasting most other industries in Sharon Valley.

In 1924, Edwin C. Jameson acquired the two acres encompassing the kiln, eventually selling it to the town in 1941. In 2002, the Sharon Historical Society embarked on a preservation project to protect this historic structure. Today, with informative signage on-site, the Sharon Valley Lime Kiln stands as a tribute to Sharon's industrial heritage.

For those eager to explore this unique piece of history, parking is conveniently available at Veterans Field, located approximately 100 yards away, just off Sharon Station Road. The site is accessible to all and offers a captivating journey through time into the industrial legacy of Sharon, Connecticut.