2002-06-05_PERMIT FILE - M2002004 (2)

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GCC Rio Grande, Inc., Cultural Survey L structural deterioration. There is a small. opening, about 3.5 feet high and 1.5 feet wide, on the lower west side of each structure. Metal hinges are present at the side of the opening on the smaller structure, probably for a. door. This opening may have been used as a vent to regulate air, to add or manipulate fuel, or. to remove the product from the interior of the. structure. The inner wall of the larger, or more complete structure is reddened to a depth of about 8 inches, and along the back wall of the structured there is a vitreous (glassy) coating on the stone. This is interpreted as the heat by-product of mortar or a processed material, such as limestone, inside the structure. It clearly indicates that something was heated to a high temperature inside the more complete structure, and confirms that the structure was some kind of oven or kiln. No evidence of this kind was found in the smaller structure, and it is possible that the smaller structure was never completed or used. It is inferred that these may have been lime kilns, near the town of Lime, because of the abundance of limestone in the vicinity, and because their form is consistent with common types of lime kilns. However, no unequivocal physical or documentary evidence of this use was found, and it appears unlikely that the local environment could have provided an adequate source of fuel for this process. Near these structures to the north and south are three pits, possibly quarry or prospect pits. The pits expose a shale layer and scattered around the pits are sphalerite nodules and gypsum. There is no clear indication of the purpose of these pits or whether they were associated with the nearby kilns. There were several local markets for lime, and it is known that the nearby town of Lime did serve these markets. These structures were found about 1.5 miles south of the town of Lime. The structures are just over 600 feet east of and above the current railroad grade and may have had access to the railroad. Lime was a source of a caustic oxide used in sugar beet processing plants in Colorado, was used as an ingredient in fertilizers, was used to control PH levels in a number of different industrial processes, was an important ingredient in concrete and lime plaster 'for construction, and was used in the steel industry both as a flux and as a refractory (USGS 1964). It is. unlikely that these kilns contributed significantly to the large quantities of lime required by the steel mills in Pueblo, but they may have served a smaller market such as lime plaster for construction. These kilns do reflect a process and economic activity that was important in Colorado history, and particularly in the history of Pueblo. The structures are not particularly distinguished, but are rare surviving examples of a once common type. It is recommended that these kilns are eligible to the Register under Criterion c. The currently proposed project will not impact these structures directly or indirectly, and no further work is required. . EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS The pedestrian survey of 564 acres resulted in the discovery and documentation of two newly recorded historic sites and recording of two new prehistoric isolated finds. The two newly recorded sites include a historic telephone line, 5PE4231.1, and a historic power line, 5PE4235.1. The latter sites are not unique or outstanding and are not associated with persons or. 1180-Red Rock Class III CR Inventory(Apr.17.02) 11