Red Ash Coke Ovens

Red Ash Coke Ovens

NPS

The Red Ash coke ovens were built in a bread-loaf/vault style, differing from the more common beehive style ovens that were used at Brooklyn and Rush Run (or from the rest of the beehive style ovens in the park, for that matter).

Coke ovens in this style “offered the advantage of a mechanical arm to more efficiently load and unload coke.” Their large face openings may have been covered by doors at one time. This style of oven arguably has more structural strength than the beehive style considering their current comparative rate of deterioration. A service/ventilation tunnel runs the rear length of the ovens. Historical data indicates that these coke ovens have not been used since sometime before 1916.

The ovens are towards the hillside, about 30 feet away from the trail past a retaining stone wall. 

CAUTION

Park regulations prohibit the possession, collection, removal, destruction, or disturbance of both natural and cultural objects and structures on public land. (16 U.S.Code 470aa-470mm).

Climbing, sitting, or walking on walls and other constructed features weakens them. Please leave historic structures and artifacts as you find them, where they help tell the story of the past.

The railroad track at the end of Southside Junction is an ACTIVE line and private property; do not walk on or cross the tracks!

Bibliography:
Zuberbuehler, Rebekah et. al. "Red Ash Island ." Clio: Your Guide to History. May 7, 2021. https://theclio.com/entry/22320