Eureka Lime Kiln

By Kris DayVincent

Even many longtime islanders have not heard of the Eureka Lime Kiln. Although it was one of the smaller lime mining operations in the islands, it was at one time a bustling enterprise with up to 30 employees. Reports vary as to when the quarry began but it was in existence during the 1880 census. It was located on the eastern shore of

San Juan Island, about three miles north of Friday Harbor. 

Daniel and William McLachlan and their cousin by marriage, Thomas Lee, owned the Eureka Lime Company in the mid 1870’s. Thomas Lee’s son, Alexander Lee recalled in a letter dated in 1953, that the property contained a wharf, a cooper’s shop to make the lime storage barrels, a cookhouse, a warehouse, and a blacksmith shop. There were two kilns just up the hill from the wharf.  He remembers that the McLachlan brothers left the venture but his father stayed on for four or five years.

In a letter written in 1979, Thomas Lee’s grandson, Lawrence Otis Tucker recalled the facility had a clear running stream, cabins, worker’s quarters, and a store. He also remembers the existence of a “pest house” where people with small pox were isolated. Thomas Lee left the site before 1880.

J.C. Werner was the next person to take up the challenge. An article in the county’s first paper, the San Juan Graphic on May 22, 1880, said that a post office was going in on the Eureka site. It said the post office was to be named “Werner” after Mr. J.C. Werner, the “the genial Supt. of the Eureka Lime Co.” who would serve as postmaster.

After Mr. Werner, a family by the name of Mackin gave it a try and they too failed. The quarry was a challenging one because the lime was very hard to extract and as Alexander Lee said, “When one found a bunch, it was sure to pinch out”.

The project was soon abandoned. The Coast Survey that was done in 1895 shows the site was deserted. Today there is little sign that this bustling enterprise ever existed.

Knowledge about this little community is scanty. I am curious if anyone has any additional information, for example, there are reports the kilns were started much earlier by a Englishman named Roberts during the joint occupation, and that the site had a tavern which was a popular spot. If you have any information, please give me a call at 378-3949.