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 —
Photographed By Mark Hilton, January 26, 2020
1. Charcoal Production at Caver-Christian-Davis Farm Marker
Inscription.
Charcoal Production at Caver-Christian-Davis Farm. AD 1865 to AD 2000. 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.
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.
Location. 33° 36.056′ N, 85° 47.849′ W. Marker is in Oxford, Alabama, in Calhoun County. Marker can be reached from Leon Smith Parkway. Located within Choccolocco Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 954 Leon Smith Parkway, Oxford AL 36203, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. View from marker with mound on left and entrance in middle background.
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 287 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on January 29, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
