William Lewis, a Welsh immigrant, established lime kilns in 1880 on an allotment near the corner of Brighton and Shoreham Roads, Adelaide, South Australia.

The rocks formed part of the great Precambrian limestone formations known geologically as the Brighton Series.

But the promising start soon faded, with Lewis closing the works in 1883 due to poor sales, attributed to the local product being too expensive and not as good quality as the imported cement.

In 1896, quality of the local cement appeared solid, with the product being used in the construction of the Happy Valley Reservoir.

Drivers were ready at 6:45 am for the 11+1⁄2 hour trip from the Works to the city carrying cement, returning via Bromptom, where coke was loaded.