Day Trip: Part Two - Charcoal Kilns

We almost didn't get to see these or learn a little Idaho history, because I told the "boys" that we had to be back in time for the General Relief Society Broadcast and dinner our stake was doing. But then, I decided that some more good old-fashioned family time outdoors, while the weather was so nice, would be just as lovely.My memory is not so good, but I'll try to explain what these are, because I thought they were pretty cool. I'd never heard of anything like this before and honestly hadn't ever even wondered how charcoal was made. These beehive-shaped kilns were at the base of some low mountains. Only a few remained, but there used to be a dozen or more. Back in the day, they would bring the timber down to these kilns and load them up to the top. Then they would seal upt he kilns and burn the wood to make charcoal. The charcoal was then transported across the valley to the mines to be used in smelting.

The top opening. You can just see the top of the doorway in the background.A view from a doorway up to the top opening. They were renovating this one, hence the ladder.

The gang standing next to them. You can see how big they are!

The remaining kilns.