The area around a historic lime kiln in Sussex got a upgrade May 22 as a result of a project lead by Eagle Scout candidate Andy Hilins.
Hilins, a member of Troop 95 (which is sponsored by the Sussex Lions Club and the Horne-Mudlitz Veterans of Foreign Wars post) led a group of approximately 20 volunteers in cleaning up brush around the lime kiln, which is located northwest of the Quad/Tech facility on the north side of Hwy. 74.
Hilins said when it came time to organize an Eagle Scout project, he was seeking a project that would be in the Sussex area. Hillins sought permission from village official and Quad/Graphics in order to proceed with the project.
Fred Keller, village historian, said the lime kiln was built in 1888 and abandoned in 1981. Keller said the kiln was abandoned because the nearby quarry had the wrong type of stone for the kiln.
The actual kiln is 36 feet tall and 18x23 feet at the base. During its operation there were a few buildings nearby as well as a dynamite shed.
Besides clearing brush from the site, the crew found a variety of odds and ends, including a railroad spike an old camera, a door, wires, bricks and junk metal.
Hilins has been involved with scouting since the first grade.
“It’s just a lot of fun and it shows me responsibility,” Hilins said of the scouting experience.
—By Thomas J. McKillen, Managing Editor