Cherry Valley Coke Ovens

Cherry Valley Coke Ovens is a complex of roughly 200 stone beehive-shaped structures arranged in rows across a park setting. Each oven was part of a coal processing system that transformed raw coal into fuel for iron and steel production.

The site was established in 1866 by the Leetonia Iron and Coal Company as a major center for early American coke production. It employed many workers and played a role in the broader industrialization of this region.

The ovens show how coal processing shaped work and community life in this area, drawing people from many places to labor in this industry. The site carries memories of generations who knew this place as their workplace.

The site can be visited by following designated walking paths, though direct access to individual stone structures is restricted for safety reasons. The grounds are walkable and the park layout gives a clear view of how the ovens were historically arranged.

The oven design follows a proven method specifically developed for coal gasification that differed from later fuel processing techniques. This traditional approach makes the site a rare example of early American engineering practices.

Location: Ohio

GPS coordinates: 40.88690,-80.76640

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:47