Before 1921: How Western Lime came to be

1872       Wilhelm Nast and his two sons, August and William, form Nast Brothers Lime and Stone in Marblehead (Town of Eden), WI

1874       The largest lime kiln in the early days of Grafton, WI was one controlled by J.W. Ormsby, and O.W. Robertson of Milwaukee.  This kiln was started in 1874 under the name of the Ormsby Lime Company, and Charles Stuart was made foreman.  He employed 12 to 15 men, and turned out about 25 barrels of lime per day.

1875       A.T. Howe forms the Marblehead Lime Company

1886       Western Lime and Cement incorporated in the state of Wisconsin, offices in Milwaukee, WI.  Founders/Owners: Ossian Cook, Rufus C Brown, Orrin W. Robertson.  Board of Directors: Ossian Cook, Rufus C.  Brown – Secretary, Orrin W. Robertson – President, A.T. Howe – Vice President, J.W. Ormsby.  Western Lime Company had supply contracts and supply quotas arranged with Ormsby Lime Co. (Hayton), Marblehead Lime Co., and Cook and Brown Lime Co (High Cliff or Clifton). Western Lime and Cement operated a warehouse, 2 barns and a shop located at First Ave. and South Menominee Canal, Milwaukee, WI

1899       February 27th Western Lime and Cement purchased Hamilton Lime and Stone Co. for $60,000

1901       Western Lime purchased 32,754 acres in Taylor and Lincoln Counties, WI from the Rib River Land Company for $5.00/acre.  Western Lime and Cement Co. net profit for 1901: $134,269.70

1902       Union Lime Company formed to take over Ormsby Lime, Cook and Brown Lime and Marblehead Lime.  Principals are O.W. Robertson, Charles Weiler, and R. C. Brown.

1902       Western Lime and Cement Co.  sells Hamilton Plant to Union Lime Company for $130,000.  Union Lime Company subscribes 1300 shares of Union Lime Company stock to Western Lime and Cement Co. as payment for the plant.

1920-1921 Merger of Western Lime and Cement Co., Union Lime Co., Nast Brotherss Lime and Stone, and Empire Lime Co.  Each respective company recieved shares in The Western Lime and Cement Company in return for the following pledge of assets:

Union Lime pledged lime operations at Grimms, Brillion, Marblehead, Hayton, Hamilton, High Cliff, Meany Farm and Reedville Quarry.

Nast Brothers pledged lime operations at Marblehead, Nasbro, Germantown, Kewaunee, Knowles

Western Lime and Cement pledged lime operations consisting of a warehouse, 2 barns, three trucks, one car, 1166 2/3 shares of Union, and current inventory

Empire Lime  pledged lime operations at the Quarry Plant

Gallery Post: Nast Brothers Kewaunee Lime Plant

Workers pose during construction of the Nast Brother's Lime plant in Kewaunee, WI

Westen Lime Wins Best Business Float in Eden Fireman’s Picnic Parade

On August 7th, 2011 Western Lime participated in the Eden Frieman’s Picnic Parade.  We were fortunate to win best business float this year.  The theme for our 2011 float is “Making Lime With No Lost Time” celebrating our 2 1/2 half year anniversary of no lost time accidents at the Eden plant.  Congratulations everyone at Eden!

 

2011 float banner

Our float consisted of Dennis Compton’s bull-horn pick up pulling friends and faimily in the trailer.  Several pounds of candy were thrown to the spectators form the trailer as well as copious amounts of bubbles from our two new bubble machines.  Behind the trailer, we entered our track mobile, one of our front end loaders and bringing up the rear, Larry drove his beautiful semi pulling the Dreamscape blimp.  We also provide street sweeping of the parade route following the event because Western Lime always cleans up!   Thanks everyone who participated in the event.  See you next year! 

The winning float

Gallery Post: Hayton, WI Lime Plant

Fore!

Gallery Post: Nast Brother Lime Kilns, Nasbro, WI 1911

Not the biggest, just the…what? Habitat for Humanity Golf outing 2011

Mindy, Mike, Troy and Biju at the turn. Fun day for a good cause!

On June 27th Western fielded a team to raise money for Washington County Habitat for Humanity.  The course was beautiful and our team tore up the 18 challenging holes at Scenic View in Slinger, WI.  The course is nestled into the kettle moraine and provided quite a challenge.  Finishing 12 over par, we took last place but managed to score a bucket of recycled golf balls for our effort – an appropriate last place trophy seeing as we left a few  balls in the woods and ponds at Scenic View.  Western is proud of the good work of Habitat for Humanity and supports their efforts in Washington County.

Western vs. Eden Stone, 5th annual Trap shooting event a great time for all

Frank hits the target in Annie Oakley

On Friday June 10th in the hills of Eden Wisconsin, the Eden Gun Club sponsored the 5th annual trapShoot Event for two local area companies, Eden Stone Co and Western Lime Corporation. This event is open to all the employees, their family members and friends. It’s a time for everyone to just relax and have fun together.

The event is sponsored by the Eden Gun Club to give something back to the two companies for their generous donations of materials and equipment to the club since 1992. Since 1992 The club has rebuilt all three of the trap fields, built specially designed pond for fishing, wildlife habitat and dog training, added stone steps from the field up to the club house and completelyremodeled  and expanded the club house by 50% this last year. The club had spent nearly $200,000 since 1992 on improvements which could not have been completed without the donations by local business’s and members volunteering their time. The club is now large enough for use by area businesses for meetings, training,and special events. Also for area families to host graduations, bridal showers, birthday/retirement parties, etc…

Always good to have a few refreshments

Dennis Compton hands out the trophy

Over 50 people attended this year’s event. The event started out with a fine buffet style dinner of broasted chicken, coleslaw, baked beans and fresh buns. Throughout the evening they shot rounds of regular trap and competed in many Annie Oakley events. Then they had the annual shoot off with a team from each company competing against each other for the coveted traveling trophy and bragging rights until next year. After four years, Western Lime was leading with 3 wins and one loss. Eden Stone came thru again this year with a 9 point win over Western Lime. The score is now Western Lime 3, Eden Stone 2.

The event wrapped up with door prizes being raffled off. Each year the employees look forward to this event, they start talking about the fun and competition from the previous years, months before and months after the event.

2011 Bricklayer 500 – Las Vegas, NV

Western Lime is a proud sponsor of the Bricklayer 500. 

Here, Mike Nast is interviewed during the event and gives his views on the upcoming Green Bay Packers/Chicago Bears NFC Championship Game.  I think we all know who won that game…and the one after that!

Pull!