Kelley Island Lime & Transport Company
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Formed in 1886 on the Lake Erie Island of Kelley's Island, Ohio, the Kelley Island Lime & Transport Company was also known by its initials worldwide (KIL&T Co.). The company was once the world's largest producer of limestone and lime products in the world. They first started quarry operations on Kelley's Island in 1886 and the entire company holdings were dissolved in the early 1960's. Company operations were located in Ohio, New York, and West Virginia. Main operations were on Kelley's Island(1886-1940) and nearby Marblehead, Ohio(1890's-1955). With record breaking tonnage, the KIL&T Co. broke other records in production. In 1922 the KIL&T Co. built the worlds largest crushing plant at Marblehead, Ohio, along with many of its own lime kilns to make its own lime products. The company operated 3 foot gauge Shay steam locomotives until WW2. The KIL&T purchased 65 new Shay locomotives from the Lima Locomotive Works (Lima, Ohio).
