Object Archives | Bedrock of Beachville: The History of Our Limestone Quarries

Dynamite Crates

In Ontario’s historic industrial landscape, dynamite crates played a crucial role in transportation, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These crates, crafted with sturdy wood […]

“The Old Stage Road” Historical Plaque

This plaque was installed on the grounds of Sweaburg Central School on County Road 14, southeast of Woodstock by Ontario Heritage Trust’s for their Provincial Plaque Program. This […]

Loading Trucks at Gypsum Lime and Alabastine

When other forms of power were applied to “steam shovels” through the advents of gasoline and electricity, they became known as “power shovels.”

Features of the Limestone Valley Trail: Kiln Shell

The kiln shell from the former site of Standard White Lime marks the trailhead of the Limestone Valley Trail. Kilns are machines used to transform limestone into quicklime […]

Features of the Limestone Valley Trail: Kiln Tyre

A recycled kiln tyre as a garden border along the Thames Valley Trail. Kiln tyres are significant components used in rotary kilns. It’s typically made of steel and […]

Pierce Arrow Truck

Above is an image of an old Pierce Arrow pickup truck with an open cab. Made between 1911 and 1938, Pierce Arrow trucks had capacities of anywhere between […]

Early Transport Truck

This is one of Byron Downing’s first trucks. It was used at the quarries in the early 1930s. These Mack, B.L. Model trucks were built between 1929 and […]

The Euclid Rock Hauler

This Euclid rock hauler was used between 1950 and 1972 for active quarrying and stripping at Chemical Lime Limited. It featured a 165 horsepower Cummins, 6-cylinder diesel engine […]

A Blasting Timer

This photograph depicts a blasting timer used by Stelco around the mid to late twentieth century. The device has detailed instructions attached to its open lid and several […]

Charging Holes with Dynamite

Quarry employees, Dick Crestoff, left, and Jack Barker, right, are surrounded by crates of dynamite as they charge holes to prepare for a blast. The Dynamex and Canadian […]

Wiring Blasting Caps to a Detonator

In this image from a newspaper article that outlined how quarry blasts were set off, Gordon Holden wires the blasting caps to the detonator.

Shipping Bags for Limestone Products

These 2 25-kilogram bags were used to ship limestone products from Domtar Chemicals Group and Cyanamid Canada Inc. While they do not represent the exact style of early […]