The Kelly Island Lime & Transport Company constructed the West Dock in 1906 on the west shore of Kelleys Island. Also known as the Stone Dock, it was a raised pier made of steel and wooden trestles, equipped with railway tracks on top to load crushed limestone into barges from both sides. Within just six years of its construction, the dock was shipping over 500,000 tons of limestone annually, requiring up to 8 steam locomotives to pull up to 150 full train cars.
The company’s quarrying operation covered more than 1,000 acres of land, a remarkable feat considering the entire island only spans 2,888 acres.
In 1910, the lakeside ore dock was modified into a “pocket” structure, significantly enhancing efficiency by allowing limestone to be stored in large bins before loading it onto ships.
The Kelley Island Lime & Transport Company, founded in 1896, once held the distinction of being the world’s largest producer of limestone and lime products. However, it closed down in the early 1960s. Today, the island is dotted with various ruins of its former operations and quarries.
The East Quarry, which was part of the company’s operations, ceased operation in 1940 and has since become a state park. Due to its historical significance, the entirety of Kelley’s Island was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
