This were the last non-by-product coke ovens burning in Pennsylvania. They are at the
Alverton patch. The PA D.E.P. closed them down in 1982. Actually, they weren't
the true beehive shape, they are actually recatangular ovens, and were really built in the 1970s. But they were
loaded through the trunnel hole in the top of the oven, had their doors
bricked up, and the charge of coke pulled through the front door of the oven. So, they are of the old school variety, and they were the last ones! 1982!
Detail of the latter day coke ovens at Alverton. They were constructed of yellow fire brick rather than the old cut stone and red brick. I would say they were of the rectangular style of coke ovens. Note the steel enclosed trunnel hole of the oven. There are two for each oven.
In contrast to the more modern coke ovens at Alverton No. 1, these coke ovens at Alverton No. 2 (also known as Donnelly) were of the old school variety. There were 200 coke ovens there in 1880. The Donnelly mine and coke yard were operated by Donnelly and Dillenger. Later owners were the McClure Coke Co., Frick Coal and Coke Co., and the Alverton Coke Company. A current resident of the Alverton vicinity told me that
these ovens burned into the 1960s. Most have been torn out for a makeshift shooting range.
There are only a few remaining company-built houses in Donnelly aka Alverton No. 2.