Entry No. 35 — the Monterey file — filed under: ruins
Old Lime Kiln Ruins
Tucked away in the redwood forest of the Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, these moss-covered stone structures are the remains of a major 19th-century industrial lime-burning operation. Built in the mid-1870s by the IXL Lime Company, the kilns processed limestone to produce mortar and plaster, much of which was used to rebuild San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake. Today, the massive granite-block kilns stand abandoned and are slowly being reclaimed by the forest, with ferns and trees growing directly out of their stone walls.
The story
In the mid-1870s, the IXL Lime Company set up an aggressive industrial quarrying and burning operation deep in what is now the Fall Creek Unit. They erected massive granite-block kilns to cook local limestone into quicklime, producing the plaster and mortar that literally glued together central California's booming towns—and later supplied the massive reconstruction effort in San Francisco following the 1906 earthquake.
When the fires were eventually put out and the workers packed up, the redwood forest went right back to work swallowing the evidence. Today, instead of feeling like an industrial site, the massive stone kilns look more like forgotten forest monoliths, with thick moss blanketing the masonry and mature trees rooting themselves directly into the granite walls.
What it's like
Expect a damp, shaded three-mile round-trip walk along Fall Creek under a dense redwood canopy where the temperature drops immediately. The trail itself is well-maintained and follows the creek, leading you straight to the towering stone kilns where you can inspect the historical plaques and damp masonry up close. Stick to the marked trail, mind the slick exposed roots, and make sure to double-check trail access with the park before heading out.
The move: Hike the scenic, shaded 3-mile round-trip trail along the bubbling Fall Creek, then stop to photograph the towering, moss-draped stone kilns and read the interpretive historical plaques together.
📍 Before you go Located within the Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, the ruins are legally accessible via a well-maintained public hiking trail.
- 📍 Felton
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: Fall Creek Trail, Felton, CA 95018, USA
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current access before you go.
Pair it with
- Pogonip Historic Lime Kiln — Compare IXL's forest-swallowed kilns in Felton with another set of 19th-century industrial limestone structures hidden in nearby Santa Cruz.
- Enriquita Mine — Pair this 1870s lime operation with another 19th-century industrial ruin tucked into the Santa Cruz Mountains.
- Santa Cruz Surfing Museum — Follow up a quiet forest hike through 19th-century stonework with a shift to coastal surf history housed in a 1960s lighthouse.
Good to know
Where are the lime kiln ruins located?
They sit inside the Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, accessible along the Fall Creek Trail.
How long is the trail to reach the ruins?
It is a shaded 3-mile round-trip hike along Fall Creek.
Who built these kilns and why?
The IXL Lime Company built them in the mid-1870s to burn limestone into mortar and plaster, much of which was shipped north to rebuild San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake.
Is there an entry or access fee?
The ruins are legally accessible via public state park hiking trails, though you should confirm current trail status and park access details before your trip.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: parks.ca.gov · mountainparks.org
last checked: 2026-07-20