Oxford in Calhoun County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Charcoal Production at Caver-Christian-Davis Farm

AD 1865 to AD 2000

— Choccolocco Park Interpretive Trail —

Charcoal Production at Caver-Christian-Davis Farm Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 26, 2020

1. Charcoal Production at Caver-Christian-Davis Farm Marker

Inscription. When workers began excavating the lake for Choccolocco Park, they uncovered several large charcoal-filled ditches that formed circles. Archaeologists investigated these features and determined that these were the remains of 19th century charcoal production for the nearby Woodstock Iron and Steel Company in present-day Anniston and the Jenifer Furnace near present-day Munford. Both of these iron furnaces were fueled by charcoal and from 1873 until the end of the 19th century, they required vast amounts to produce iron. Charcoal was produced using the pit method (illustrated below) in which workers piled earth on circular stacks of wood in order to prevent the wood from burning during the production process.

Erected 2016 by the City of Oxford.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Natural Resources. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 33° 36.056′ N, 85° 47.849′ W. Marker is in Oxford, Alabama, in Calhoun County. It can be reached from Leon Smith Parkway. Located within Choccolocco Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this

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postal address: 954 Leon Smith Parkway, Oxford AL 36203, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Alabama. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Paleoindian (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The "Shattering" of the Mississippian World (approx. ¼ mile away); The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Today (approx. ¼ mile away); Archaic (approx. ¼ mile away); Woodland (approx. 0.4 miles away); Muscogee (Creek) Nation (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Choccolocco Creek Archaeological Complex (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mississippi Earthen Mounds (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oxford.

View from marker with mound on left and entrance in middle background. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 26, 2020

2. View from marker with mound on left and entrance in middle background.

Entrance sign to the Chocolocco Park. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 26, 2020

3. Entrance sign to the Chocolocco Park.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 579 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 29, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.