Smelter in Leadville, where did the coke to fuel it come from?

[Paul R.]

HelloAll,
This is one for the historians of the group, the Arkansas Valley smelter I assume was fueled by coke, did they manufacture that themselves or was it supplied from somewhere else maybe near a coal mine. The reason for wanting to know is,I am constructing a HOn3 section at the local club's permanent layout. I have built the trackwork(flextrack) which includes a fair bit of dual gauge at the main area which I am going to call Leadville and are using the HO Silverton smelter as the main industry so I need a coke industry to feed the smelter, what style coke ovens would suit? Pail R.

[Chris Walker]

Paul,  
the D&RG served Beehives down near Nathrop and on Tennessee Pass(n.g. line) as well as the Colorado Midland on the Western side of Hagerman Pass at Sellar.  I hope Jimmy Blouch sees this and adds his notes to this subject.  

X-9481  Nathrop
http://digital.denverlibrary.org/cdm/fullbrowser/collection/p15330coll22/id/9741/rv/singleitem/rec/8


WHJ-1476  Eagle Park. (Scroll this view >>)
http://digital.denverlibrary.org/cdm/fullbrowser/collection/p15330coll22/id/86718/rv/singleitem/rec/143


WHJ-1475  Crane's Park.
http://digital.denverlibrary.org/cdm/fullbrowser/collection/p15330coll22/id/86716/rv/singleitem/rec/141

[ComoDepot]

There was a coke operation in Como, traces still there, think it ceased c1883, not sure.

[Jimmy Blouch]

The view of Crane's Park is on the east side of Tennessee Pass showing the original narrow gauge.
Current highway now occupies the grade in the foreground.
Remnants of the kilns shown in the background are visible, though the area is somewhat marshy.
There were also a few locations of kilns on the west side of Tennessee Pass, original narrow gauge.
I do not recall seeing photos of those.
I have been trying validate this photo as being west side of Tennessee Pass.

Image shows up large, need to scroll, I guess.



Jimmy

[Jeff Ramsey]

I think people are confusing charcoal for coke. Coke comes from coal as charcoal comes from wood.  El Moro was a location for coke as coke was unsuccessfully manufactured at the uppers coal mines near Como.

[ComoDepot]

The initial process was unsuccessful, they changed the process and that did produce good coke. Trying to remember where I read about it, think in the Fairplay Flume.

How long it went on for I do not know, seems coal was mined officially at the upper mines until 1883, I assumed coking carried on to that point but have never come across anything that clarified this.

I have seen no reference to coal from the lower mines being moved to the coke operation. My impression was that by this time most of the coal was being used by the Railroad and there would be little to spare anyway. The waste piles are still here, presumably somebody who is familiar with the process could compute how much was produced by measuring the tailings.

[Paul R.]

Jeff &Como,
I assume from the previous that coke was transported to Leadville from elsewhere, I also assume it was still manufactured in beehive ovens ? Or maybe they still used charcoal ! Those photos looked like charcoal ovens to me! Paul R.

[ComoDepot]

The Railroad seem to have finished coal mining in South Park with the close of the lower mines, I have found reference to Como Coal being sold into the 1900's but where it came from I do not know.

Charcoal seems to have finessed here in early 1890's Less demand after the Silver Crash? More efficient bigger producers elsewhere?

[Don Gustavson II]

Hmm.. a "coke operation in Como". This give me an idea to explore.
I am re-routing some main line and reorienting my coal mine near Como. (eliminating some hidden track) I may be able to add in a coke operation.
Have to check it out next time I am out at the layout.

[Paul R.]

Now we have to work out what the coke was transported in? Another type of loading arriving at Leadville. This is getting interesting, do we have any manifests for Leadville ? Paul R.

[Keith Hayes]

I suspect coals were used to transport this commodity.