Transcription of an informational sign posted in front of the Redstone Ovens by the Redstone Historical Society in 2010. The original spelling and grammar has been preserved. Transcribed by Aran in 2022.

These ovens comprised part of the Redstone Coke Ovens Historic District, where men at the turn of the century “coked” some of the country’s finest metallurgical coal, turning the coal into coke, or pure carbon. Brought by narrow gauge railroad from the mines above Redstone at Coalbasin, the coal was loaded into the top of the 249 beehive-shaped ovens. Redstone cokers cooked the coal for two days then shipped it to Colorado Fuel and Iron in Pueblo, Colorado, the biggest steel mill west of the Mississippi. There, the Redstone coke, limestone and iron ore were dumped into blast furnaces to create steel, which made the locomotives, steel rails, and barbed wire that settled the American West. FROM THE GROUND UP The town of Redstone existed because of its coke ovens. Founded at the turn of the 20th century, Redstone was the vision and venture of one man, the “Fuel King of the West,” John Cleveland Osgood. It was a company town, constructed solely to house the men who worked the ovens and their families. In addition to 84 residential cottages, Osgood built a bachelor’s hostel (now The Redstone Inn) a theater, hospital, and clubhouse as well as the Cleveholm Manor, now known as the Redstone Castle. Without a demand for coke, operations in Redstone ceased in 1909. Mid-Continent Coal and Coke Company refaced some of the ovens with masonry block and concrete and ran a coking operation from 1959 to 1961. A NEW LIFE Now owned by Pitkin County, the coke ovens themselves are the only remnants of the coking operation at Redstone. The site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. In 2010, 3 ovens were completely restored back to their 1903 appearance, a majority have received stabilization treatments, while the remainder are left to ruin. THE STORY CONTINUES With its celebrated past, Redstone is proud to represent the historic development of the industrial West. Today Redstone is home to artists, galleries, restaurants, lodging and residents of every kind. This year-round population is eager to preserve the stories of Redstone’s colorful past, embracing its historic role as the “Ruby of the Rockies.” 1882: Coke Oven project is proposed 1899: masons begin construction 1900: first shipment of coal arrives 1903: 249 ovens completed 1942: iron rails and door frames removed for the war effort. 1959 To 1991: Mid Continent Resources modify structures and reactivate ovens 1961 To 1989: visitors continue to steal material from ovens and retaining walls, furthering erosion and decay 1990: listed in “National Register of Historic Places” 2010: ovens undergo stabilization, and site is preserved to encourage visitors. While you explore the Coke Oven site, keep an eye out for symbolic markers. These have been placed at key locations to exemplify important aspects including significant historic and structural elements, as well as preservation modifications and vegetation. Railroad & Transportation “Larry cars” ran along the top of the ovens to unload raw coal. Coke was raked out of the front and loaded into railroad cars for transport. Native Vegetation In an ongoing management plan, invasive species are removed to reduce degradation and native shrubs and grasses are reestablished to stabilize the soils. Architecture Three ovens have been completely reconstructed to illustrate the original design and operating condition. Structural Materials Ovens were constructed with “firebrick” and insulated with clay and loam. Iron was used for the door frames. Preservation Modifications Stabilization construction has been done to prevent further deterioration and safety hazards and is consistent with historic materials and practices. Contemporary techniques have been minimally integrated, and only where necessary. The acquisition of this site in 2004, was made possible by grants from the Pitkin County’s Open Space and Trails Board and Colorado’s State Historic Fund. The preservation project was funded by Pitkin County, Colorado Department of Transportation, U.S. Dept. of the Interior Preserve America program and the National Scenic Byway Program. Want to know more about the coke ovens and town of Redstone? Visit the Historic Redstone Museum located at the park in the center of town.

The historic informational sign as of August, 2022.