I've been having a rough time finding much history about these ovens. I have found from circa 1892 to some time before 1900 this coke works was owned by the St. Clair Coal And Coke Company of Bradenville. I have also found the Bessemer Coke Company owned them at one point in the early 1900's. In the Pennsylvania Inspectors Of Bituminous Coal Mines Ledger of 1900-1901, St. Clair is listed as being operated by Bessemer. I am unsure how many ovens there were initially but right now there is a nice battery of bank ovens. Some are in really nice shape and some are more deteriorated. At least one is currently inhabited.
A couple of the nicer ovens. Most of the brickwork remains intact. |
One of the more deteriorated ones. I think the trees that always seem to be growing in the ovens are what's responsible for destroying them. |
This is a perfectly dissected oven showing all parts of the ovens. |
This oven was inhabited but I was told that the occupants moved out. The brick pillow looks rather uncomfortable. |
I love the arched brickwork. |
This looks like old furniture. |
I was told that this one was also recently occupied. |
Amazing stonework. |
I love this brickwork. |
A piece of remaining hardware. |
Three in a row of the more deteriorated ovens. |
Two of the better preserved ones. |
This oven seems to have lost all its dirt fill as well as the front. |
Local shooting range. |
Kevin showing me around. |
Kevins oven. |
The roof Kevin fashioned over his coke oven. He said he used to use a tarp but had problems with it blowing away. |
Kevin sitting next to his fire. |
Kevins bike and the front of the oven. |
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ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this historic rare site. I am forwarding to my kids- bc whenever I say “coke plant” they start looking around for coca-cola signage. And laugh like I’m an idiot for saying Coke plant to describe the coal/mining industry (we’re from the west coast😉)
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