WARD
CHARCOAL OVENS STATE PARK and More
Nevada
has many unique State Parks to visit. Perched in the Egan
Mountain Range in eastern Nevada, Ward Charcoal Ovens
State Historic Park is a unique forested retreat. The
park features six beehive-shaped charcoal ovens that were
used from 1876 through 1879 to help process rich silver
ore that was discovered in the area. Once mining ended,
the ovens were used to shelter travelers and even had a
reputation as a hideout for stagecoach bandits. The ovens
remain today and are open for touring. Visitors can also
enjoy camping, picnicking, hiking and fishing while
surrounded by a diversity of wildlife within the
park.
The
charcoal ovens are located two miles to the south of the
silver mining ghost town of Ward that was established in
1876. The town at its peak had a population of 1500, two
newspapers, a school, fire department, two smelters and a
stamp mill. The town declined after 1880, with a fire in
1883 destroying a third of the town. The post office
closed in 1888. Only the smelter, mill foundations and a
cemetery are left.
Nevada
has a State Park for every adventure and some feature
beautiful wildlife like Bighorn Sheep which was
designated the official state animal of Nevada in
1973.
