Uses of Limestone. Limestone has many industrial uses . and can be used as mined or processed into a wide variety of products. It is the raw material for a large variety of con-struction, agricultural, environmental, and industrial materials. Limestone is used in construction almost everywhere. In 2007, crushed . limestone was 68% of all ... Prior to 1900 limestone was produced for use as building stone here, and another important use was for the production of burned lime. Portland cement plants soon became leading consumers of lime stone, and they continue as such to the present time. Limestone is Limestone mining began in Florida during the First Spanish Period. In 1672, construction began on the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine. Locally mined coquina was used. This is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. In 1753, construction began on a limestone fort in St. Marks to replace older wooden structures.