The old Wilson Cement Works

This is one historical spot in Warkworth, north of Auckland that I use to spend regular time at when my children are alot younger and the reason why is that in Autumn the colours on the trees is pretty special, we would wander through each ruin and sit in the sunshine. 

The old Wilson Cement works was once in use from around 1850 and the lake above was once where the ground was drilled, so deep that rain has since filled it up. At one point I believe there was an issue with contamination in the water but I have since heard that it has been cleared up as people swim in it during Summer.

So boats would come up the Mahurangi River (behind the property) and then the cement would then be shipped to Auckland to be used in the original Queen Street sewer system and other construction projects.

There are only ruins there but it is a popular place for photographers.  Apparently this was NZ's first cement manufacturing works and the founder was one Nathaniel Wilson (1836-1919) who emigrated from Glasgow with his family when he was 6 years old. He originally trained as a shoemaker but in 1864 he purchased a small block of land next to his parents block south of Warkworth village.

With lime deposits found on his land he built is own kiln in 1866 and decided to manufacture his own Roche lime used in plaster and mortar.  He first became interested in cement in 1883 and after experimenting by 1885 Nathaniel and his 2 brothers John and James began trading.  

Sadly by 1918 the company was voluntarily wound up and amalgamated with the NZ Portland Cement Company.  By 1926 the closure happened and the machinery was moved to Portland near Whangarei  and this cement works closed for good in 1929.  This whole site has since been recognized by Heritage NZ as a Category 1 historic place. The photo above was taken in 1910 by William price and shows coal smoke billowing from the chimneys.

There is more extensive information here.