Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park
The Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park is a state park in White Pine County in the U.S. state of Nevada. The approximately 250 -acre park has existed since 1969. It lies 30 km south of Ely and is accessible via the Cave Valley Road from the combined U.S. Highway 50 and U.S. Highway 93. The name derives from six well-preserved beehive- shaped stone ovens that were built in 1876 for charcoal production. The Ward Charcoal Ovens are on the National Register of Historic Places under the ID 71000491.
Located in what is now Park Willow Creek served for some time as a truck stop and potions for migrating oxen. While an ox exchange 1872 silver deposits were discovered in the nearby mountains, the Mining District of Ward was born and with it 8 km north today Ghost Town Ward with up to 1500 inhabitants. The silver mines were rich and for the Silbererzschmelze high-grade fuel was needed. 1876, the six furnaces of Italian masons ( " Carbonari " ) were built with quartz and tuff from the surroundings. The furnaces pinyon pine, juniper, aspen and sagebrush were processed into charcoal. The concave shape of a beehive reflected the heat to the center and through an opening at the top of the smoke could pull it off. Through various openings in the air flow could be changed and thus the temperature can be regulated. The furnaces are 9 meters high and have at the bottom a diameter of 8 meters. They were in operation at least until 1879. A baked filling consisted of 35 cords, one cord corresponds converted 3.62 m³. The carbonization process took 12 days and yielded 50 bushels of charcoal. 30-50 bushels were required to melt an American ton of ore. End of 1870 was within 56 km sämtliches like wood and has been recovered.
South of the furnaces there is to see Latit meter high remnant of the Tertiary volcanic tuff and in the form of quartz. Sagebrush and grasses dominate the level, on the slopes grow Pinyon pine and juniper. Along the Willow Creek you will find waterside plants, willows and wild roses. In addition populate badgers, coyotes, rabbits, magpies, larks and ravens the area.