Coke Ovens at Cochran

The Coke Ovens are considered an historic site on private property 1/4 mile west of the old Cochran town site along the Gila River and the Southern Pacific Railroad. They were constructed in the 1870s and were used to reduce mesquite wood to coke, a hotter burning fuel for the purpose of smelting gold and silver ore taken from surrounding mines. The beehive shaped stone ovens are each about 25 in diameter and 30 feet high. Each has a ground level entry and several upper level vents. The mesquite wood burned slowly in the ovens which yielded the coke. The new fuel was then transported across the Gila River to the community of Cochran (now a ghost town) where it was used in the smelters.

[@user-py9by1ly4k]

Excellent video. It's obvious that you are very patient and talented.

[@BEFastPhotography]

Thank you. I do the best I can with the little I have.