Walker Charcoal Kiln, Historic kiln in Prescott National Forest, Arizona.
Walker Charcoal Kiln is an industrial furnace built from granite blocks that stands about 25 feet (7.6 m) tall with carefully positioned openings to regulate air circulation during charcoal production. The design reflects straightforward engineering where each feature served the practical goal of converting wood into charcoal efficiently.
Built in 1880 by Jake and Joe Carmichael, the kiln produced charcoal from oak wood to fuel the nearby silver mining smelting operations. This facility formed a crucial link in the supply chain that supported the region's mining industry.
The structure earned its local nickname 'Beehive' from its rounded conical shape, which resembles the traditional dome-shaped hives that were familiar to people of that era. Visitors walking around the site can immediately see why locals used this simple comparison.
The kiln sits within Prescott National Forest and is reached via a short walking trail of roughly a quarter-mile. Interpretive signs at the site explain the charcoal-making process and the structure's role in the region's past.
Interior temperatures within the kiln reached approximately 500 degrees Celsius (932 degrees Fahrenheit), with each cord of wood converting into roughly 40 bushels of charcoal. The structure's design allowed it to maintain and redirect intense heat, making the conversion process remarkably efficient.
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