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History of Chewacla Lime Works

Note: This is not related to or near Chewacla Park in Auburn.

An 1878 article indicated that in 1853 Penn Yonge leased a place to be called Chewacla Lime Works, near Chewacla Creek, then a pile of barren rocks, later a company was formed, and Col. Yonge was made manager. 

In 1856 we see first/last ads for "Chewacla Lime Works" with W.A. Smyth of Commerce St. in Montgomery as agent. By September 1856, William A Smyth (1817 VA-1893 VA) is selling his home and buildings in Montgomery after a fire swept the city

The Tuskegee and Montgomery papers toured the place in 1857, noting that the lime works was 2 miles away from Spring Villa. They were blasting rock, had kilns constructed of large rocks cemented together. There was an adjoining work shop where they fired limestone and shoveled out large quantities of burning lime.  They are selling lime, gypsum, water cement, and pearl ash. 

By 1858 the Lime Works, in Yonge’s, Russell Co., AL, was selling lime all over AL and GA Charles T. Pollard, Samuel G. Jones, both of Montgomery, are partners with him. The company was organized with $100000 of capital stock. A later history indicates it was $1000.

An 1859 ad for Chewacla Lime Works, Yongesboro, Russell co, AL, listed proprietors C.T. Pollard, S.G. Jones, W.C. Yonge

1860 Chewacla Lime Works in Yongesboro was accidentally destroyed by fire on the night of Aug 23 1860 The works will be back in operation in 8-10 days, Mr. Yonge has 80 hands engaged in rebuilding.

By 1861 the Lime works now has agents in Columbus and Montgomery. Also Edward T Shepherd buys 1/3 of Chewacla Lime Works via a mortgage financed by Penn Yonge. It's noted that in 1861 the lime works is 2 miles west of the Springs. They are shipping 600 barrels of lime a day. plus they have a grist mill and a saw mill producing 6000 feet of lumber each day.

1867 he gave 25 barrels of lime to Montgomery/Selma to disinfect their homes

By 1868 Penn Yonge retired from the lime works.

In Jan 1869 William T Shepherd sells his 1/3 interest in the Chewacla Lime Works

The office is in Yongesboro. They manufacture lime and ship all over the south, including Pensacola, Mobile and New Orleans. Before this lime works was started people bought lime via ship at Thomaston, MA lime works. Chewcla lime comes from a quarry, 3 miles from town, is blown up by blasting. Then it"s carried to one of 3 "Pages Patent Kilns" that run perpetually.
The barrels for the lime are made at their own mill, and the staves are sawed out my machine, not by hand. 

1872 A company called Spring Villa Manufacturing Co begins business and owns a magnificent limestone quarry, listing W.G. Clemons President, Daniel Bullard VP, W.A. James Scety Treasurer, Dr. Charles Seldon is Superintendent. They run ads through 1873.

A 1937 article stated "The lime works business functioned until 1873". This probably means that ownership ended in 1873, since are numerous ads and articles about the Lime company thru at least 1941.

Bonus - Spring Villa Rice Mill, Grist Mill, and broom manufacturing

After he retired from the Lime Works, by 1874 Col. Penn Yonge has a rice mill in operation, the only one west of Savannah

By 1875 Col. Yonge has a grist mill, rice mill, and with his 7 acres of broom corn will begin manufacturing and selling brooms.

He advertised his new Spring Villa Rice Mill in 1877/78. It is located 7 miles SE of Opelika, 3 miles S of Yongesboro, and 4 miles W of Salem.  Future Opelika Mayor F.M. Renfro seems to be a sales agent
Lime Works Sources:
  • 11/1/1878 Opelika Times p3 obit
  • 2/27/1856 (Montgomery) Weekly Advertiser p4 first ad Chewacla Lime Works for WA Smyth
  • 9/3/1856 (Montgomery) Weekly Advertiser p4 WA Smyth selling his home, buildings in Montgomery
  • 10/15/1856 The Weekly Advertiser p4 W.A. Smyth selling his home and all his property
  • 10/16/1856 Autauga Citizen p3 last ad Chewacla Lime Works for WA Smyth
  • 10/15/1857 Tuskegee Republican p2 tour of Spring Villa and Lime Works
  • 12/30/1857 Montgomery Weekly Advertiser p4 Chewacla Lime Works products
  • 3/25/1858 Tuskegee Republican ad Chewacla Lime Works
  • 11/22/1859 (Opelika) Weekly Southern Era ad Chewacla Lime Works
  • 8/27/1860 Daily Columbus Enquirer p.2 Chewacla Lime Works accidentally destroyed by fire
  • 2/27/1861 Daily Columbus Enquirer p.2 Chewacla Lime Co. agents in Columbus and Montgomery
  • 8/24/1861 Southern Republic Opelika troops visit springs
  • 8/17/1867 Selma Weekly Messenger p1 donates lime
  • 1/1/1869 Daily Columbus Enquirer p2 Edward T Shepherd sells 1/3 of Chewacla Lime
  • 7/29/1869 Montgomery Advertiser Yongesboro happenings
  • 12/1/1872 Columbus Ledger Enquirer p3 Spring Villa Mfg Co business and limestone quarry begins
  • 2/25/1873 Ledger Enquirer p2 Last ad for Spring Villa Manufacturing Co
  • 8/29/1937 Birmingham News p69 History of Yonges and Renovation of Spring Villa
  • 5/12/1941 Opelika News p6 Chewacla Lime Co. opens under new ownership
  • 2025 City of Opelika, Spring Villa History
Bonus Grist Mill Sources:
  • 12/24/1874 Mobile Daily Tribune p1 Penn Yonge has a rice mill
  • 9/11/1875 Opelika Times p2 Penn has grist mill, rice mill, and soon will make brooms
  • 4/12/1878 Opelika Times p4 ad with location of rice mill, FM Renfro sales
  • 10/24/1878 Opelika Observer p2 new Spring Villa Rice Mill