Belger-Cahill Lime Kiln
Why it's listed
Built in 1887 at the foot of a limestone outcrop on the outskirts of San Marcos, this lime kiln is a rectangular chimney of roughcut limestone blocks, 14 feet deep, 16 feet wide and up to 22 feet high. Low stone walls extend from its front corners, and a beehive-shaped corbelled brick lining sits inside. Some bricks are stamped "LACLEDE St. Louis," which supports the 1887 date. J.J. Belger and J.D. Cahill, both experienced in the lime trade, bought the land and produced 100 to 120 barrels a day. The limestone seam proved less plentiful than expected, and lime became as cheap to import as to make locally, so the kiln was inoperative by 1910. Before then it supplied mortar for the county courthouse, Coronal Institute, an 1890 public school and the 1887 Hofheinz Hotel. The kiln was listed because it represents the materials industry behind the town's late 19th-century growth, and it survives as a rare example. Its southern side has partly collapsed, but the inner chimney remains intact.
Significance in brief: The kiln supplied lime for mortar used in many San Marcos buildings and helped make possible the town's building growth in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is a rare surviving example of a rustic local industry. The Laclede firebricks in its lining support the 1887 construction date.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 83004490, listed August 26, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Lime Kiln Rd., San Marcos |
|---|---|
| County | Hays County |
| Listed | August 26, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83004490 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899, 1900- |
| Architect / builder | J.J. Belger and J.D. Cahill |
| Areas of significance | Industry |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as unoccupied, in fair condition and unaltered on its original site. The southern side is badly caved in, but the inner chimney has not been breached. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 29.89932, -97.92623 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 83004490.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110000449
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.