Evening star., 1937-10-17
By John CIaget Proctor.

pank close to the east Slde OF
Il Rock Creek Parkway, just
above K street, have aroused the
curiosity of great many people since
this driveway was thrown open to the
public some time ago, and if it were
not for the information given on the
marker erected near these curious
structures there are undoubtedly
some who would attribute them to
prehistoric workmanship. But they
are not, for they are simply lime
kilns, built here many years ago for
the manufacture of lime, an indus
try extensively carried on near the
mouth of Rock Greek at least since
1888, for we are told in Sessfords An
nals-in referring to the improve
ments made in the first ward that
year that some kilns have been built
on large and permanent scale. for
the making Of lime, from stone
brought down the canal"
The making of lime in the District
OF Columbia must have begun with
the commencing of the city itself, for
this was probably the only solidifying
material used in the early days of
the District with which to make build
ers' mortar, for the plastering of walls,
for the making of whitewash and for
use as q disinfectant However, prior
to the general manufacture of lime
the limestone was most always burnt
on the premises, close to the struc-
tue in course of erection, and the
bricks were also made nearby, and
not brought from England as some
believe.
THE pioneer manufacturer of lime
in the vicinity of the old lime
kilns on Rock Greek Parkway, that
the writer has been able to trace,
was Samuel Smoot, who resided on
the north side of K street between
Twenty-siXth and -Twenty-seventh
sometime prior to 1890, and was man.
ufacturing lime on the west side of
Twenty-seventh street between K and
L, opposite the Cooley kilns, and it
was probably these kilns that Sess-
ford referred to as having been erected
in 1888. Smoot likely went out of
business prior to 1860, and no trace of
his plant is visible today
The next manufacturer of lime in
who had kiln at the corner of Twen-
tieth street and New York avenue in
1850 He also had another kiln on
the south side of Massachusetts, ave
nue. between Sixth and Seventh
streets northwest the same date.
According to the city directories of
Georgetown and Washington and from
other sources, it would appear that
the Cooley kilns did not come into ex-
istence until 1854, but the date, 1845,
is also found recorded. though this
seems to be typographical error
Sessford tells us in 1851 that there
is vast quantity Of lime burnt at
ploying many hands. and for which
there is ready sale" These were all
In the first ward.
An ADVERTISEMENT that throws
some light on the Cooley plant and
ed in 1884 has this to say:
Among the most conspicuous in
dustries which have given character to
the City of Washington is the estab-
hshment of Edw'd Cooley, manufac-
turer of lime, and known as the WASH
ington Lime Kilns. This business was
established in 1854 by Mr.. William H.
Cooley, and now carried on by his son,
Edward Cooley. The premises are both
large and we'll arranged, being 500
feet on east side of Twenty-seventh
street and 500 feet on L street; en-
ployment is given to 25 workmen; the
works are conveniently located near
the canal and river, by which sources
the stone used in this business Is OBJ
tanned, which comes from near Har-
pers Ferry and is landed by machinery
1T their place.
This is the oldest limekiln in the
District, and is the result of the first
enterprise of the kind started here.
The trade is very large and constantly
increasing, and reaches all parts Of the
District, Maryland cnd North Caro-
lima Their business also embraces
wood burnt lime, cement. plaster, and
hair. The capacity of the works are
1000 barrels Of lime weekly, and sur
passes all others in the quality of
vhiteness, yielding and working cool.
The Government and all the leading
merchants here will use no other, be-
=. ing burned in improved kilns and by
wood. Mr.. Cooley is native Of George
town and is a young and enterprising
business man, enjoying the confidence
Of all who know him."
It is also stated that the plant, about
this time, consisted of five patent
kilns," the number seen there today.
THE statement made In the adver-
- tisement quoted. that it was the
Oldest limekiln in the District, seems
not to be borne out by the facts. The
Georgetown city directories for 1880
and 1884 do not give the name Cooley
and the name does not appear in the
Washington directory prior to 1853
when the following names are given:
Edward Cooley, tailor; w. Cooley, car
penter; William Cooley, painter and
grocer, and George Cooley, lottery
ONCE. The last three resided in
Georgetown. In 1855 William H. Cooley
kept = paint store at rs Congress
street. In 1858 the latter was conduct
ing a limekiln and residing at liz
Congress street, Georgetown. So the
oate 1854 seems to fit in about right
- In 1865 and 1866 the Cooley firm
consisted Of William H. Cooley anc
John A. Rheem and, by 1888, Mrs. w
!. Cooley was operating the business
N 1897 the business was apparently
taken over by John Mel. Dodson, who
remained in business until 1907.
=. The writer did not find much in
:, formation about Mr.. Cooley, excep,
what has been given, and the further
fact that 10 was a member of the
Association Of the Oldest Inhabitant,
of the District Of Columbia, having
bocn nominated by w. ,Jenkin Thomas