The Michigan Limestone and Chemical Company has a rich history that spans over a century. Founded in 1907, the company started as a small quarry operation in Rogers City, Michigan.
The company's early success can be attributed to the high-quality limestone found in the area, which was in high demand for construction and industrial purposes. This natural resource was the foundation of the company's growth and development.
The quarry operated for many years, supplying limestone to various industries, including construction, cement, and steel production. The limestone was also used in the production of chemicals, such as calcium carbonate and dolomitic limestone.
The Company's Beginnings
The Michigan Limestone and Chemical Company was founded in 1910 by William White and other investors. They purchased 5,000 acres of land with abundant limestone from the Rogers City Land Company.
The company's main office was located in New York City, with another office in Rogers City. Henry Hindshaw, a mining expert, was the first general manager of the company.
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The Calcite port and quarry plant began operations in June 1910. The plant included a powerhouse, a stone crusher, and a harbor for loading ships.
The company invested in steam shovels for digging and steam locomotives to move the stone. They also built a 14-mile train track to connect the Calcite operations to the main Detroit and Mackinac Railway line.
Limestone production started in early 1912, with the first shipments of stone going out by steamer ships in June of that year. The company received more orders for limestone than they expected!
The largest customer of the Michigan Limestone and Chemical Company was United States Steel (U.S. Steel). Later, new uses for the limestone were found in farming, construction, and chemical industries.
The Calcite plant expanded, and Rogers City grew as a result. Within 20 years, the quarry at Rogers City was the world's largest producer of limestone.
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The Quarry
In January 1909, a mining expert named Henry H. Hindshaw began studying the limestone in northern Lower Michigan.
Hindshaw met with William F. White, an investor interested in developing the limestone for business.
The limestone near Rogers City was found to be very pure and high-quality, making it valuable for its chemical composition.
Its location near Lake Huron allowed for easy shipping, leading to the creation of the quarry and a port.
The quarry and port were named "Calcite", after the main part of limestone.
The Company
Michigan Limestone and Chemical Company started with a big goal: to supply limestone to major companies. They were able to secure a contract with U.S. Steel just months after forming.
U.S. Steel later took a controlling share of Michigan Limestone in 1920, and the company was producing 1,000 tons of crushed limestone every day. This was a significant milestone for the company.
Carl Bradley became president of Michigan Limestone and led the company's fleet of self-unloading ships, which were part of the Bradley Transportation Company. He played a key role in the company's operations.
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After Bradley passed away in 1928, U.S. Steel took full ownership of both Michigan Limestone and Bradley Transportation. This marked a significant change in the company's ownership structure.
The company's operations in Rogers City became U.S. Steel's "Northern District" in 1951. This change had a lasting impact on the company's operations and future.
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Uses
Michigan limestone is a highly versatile material with a wide range of uses.
It's used to make steel by adding it to molten iron in blast furnaces, where it helps carry away impurities in the process.
The material is also in widespread use in making cement, a crucial component in construction projects.
Limestone is burned at high temperatures to produce pure lime, which is used in various industries such as glass manufacturing, paint fabrication, and baking powder assembly.
The pure lime produced from limestone is also used in ammonia production, a process that's essential for various applications.
Pulverized limestone is used to restore lime in acidic soils, making it an essential tool for farmers to improve crop yields.
Agricultural lime, a type of pulverized limestone, can be used in combination with fertilizers to promote healthy plant growth.
This practice has been adopted by many dairy farmers, who apply agricultural lime to their fields to increase milk production in their cows.
The limestone produced at Michigan Limestone has been instrumental in various construction projects, including the Mackinac Bridge, where it was used to fill caissons that support the bridge.
The company's limestone has also played a critical role in the production of various chemicals, such as soda ash and caustic soda.
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Historical Significance
The Michigan Limestone and Chemical Company has a rich history that dates back to 1909, when mining engineer and geologist Henry H. Hindshaw started analyzing the commercial value of limestone in Northern Lower Michigan.
Hindshaw's discovery of the high-grade and pure limestone deposit in the northeastern region of Lower Michigan, near Alpena and south of Rogers City, led to the development of the quarry and a port, both named "Calcite" after the principal ingredient of limestone.
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The limestone deposit's quality and size, combined with the availability of easy water transportation, made it an ideal location for the quarry and port.
The Calcite Operation is one of 28 production facilities that Carmeuse owns in North America and one of 94 facilities the company owns worldwide.
As of 2019, over 915 million tons have been shipped from the quarry, with the highest production year being 1953, with 16.6 million tons.
The company conducts yearly tours of the quarry, typically conjoined with Rogers City's annual Nautical City Festival, allowing the public to see the giant equipment used at the plant up close.
The Calcite Operation mines, processes, and ships limestone via freighters on the Great Lakes, which haul the raw materials to the next location.
Here are some key statistics about the Calcite Operation:
- 915,931,719 tons shipped from the quarry as of 2019
- 16.6 million tons produced in 1953, the highest production year
- 4,000 wheelbarrows full to fill the largest truck in the facility
- 12 hours to fill a freighter
Timeline
The Michigan Limestone and Chemical Company has a rich history, and one way to understand its evolution is by looking at its timeline.
In 1926, the company began a major construction project, including the erection of a new rail system over the road into the plant.
The company extended its rail system and built new trestles that same year.
On September 25, 1926, the Michigan Limestone & Chemical ordered interlockers for the crossings of the D&M near Rogers City.
This was part of a larger effort to improve safety and efficiency at the plant.
In 1926, the company placed orders with the Union Switch & Signal Co. for materials necessary to install a mechanical interlocking at its crossing of the Detroit & Mackinac at Rogers City, MI.
The interlocking machine had 5 working levers operating 6 functions.
The field installation was carried out by the company's own construction forces.
By the 1980s, the rails had been removed from the plant.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is limestone found in Michigan?
Limestone and dolomite cliffs can be found along the Niagaran Escarpment in northwestern Michigan and northern Lake Huron. This unique geological feature stretches from the Garden Peninsula to Mackinac and Drummond Islands.
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