Wheeler Pass, Tecopa Kilns, Nevada !

On our Saturday trip from Pahrump back over Wheeler Pass after stopping at the Younts Saw Mill we went about three more miles over to the Tecopa Kilns. We had a lot of fun and it was close to Vegas.The kilns were built in 1875 by Nehemia "Red" Clark and produced charcoal for the Osborne Tecopa smelter near Death Valley. They built them here because it was the nearest wood to the smelter.

The charcoal was hauled by wagon and then used to melt silver-lead ore down to pure silver. One kiln with a capacity of 35 cords would produce one ton of silver lead ore.

These kilns were used up until 1910, but in 1950 two have fallen down.

On our June 13th, 2005 trip Wesley and I found that the main kiln was down. There was a new history sign post there and what is on it is posted below.

This is whats left of the Limekiln at the end.

These beehive-shaped structures are the remains of three charcoal making kilns and one Lime Kiln built for Jonas Osborne in 1877. He had designed and built a big furnace to smelt over 20 tons of silver and lead ore each day in the boomtown of Tecopa, California in January of 1878. Forty-four men attempted to keep the furnace working by cutting and hauling the ore, and feeding and constantly repairing the furnace. It completely failed and was abandoned in the fall of 1878.

As this area of the Spring Mountains had the best and closest source of wood, the kilns were setup here and the charcoal produced was carried by horse drawn wagons about 50 miles to the Tecopa Smelter. Evidence shows only tree limbs were cut in fuel and no extensive tree cutting was done.

Natural erosion, vandalism, and theft of the limestone blocks has ruined much of this site. The main kiln was partially restored in 1971 and 1995. The fence is a safety measure for both the kilns and for visitors.

The main kiln will be rehabilitated in the fall of 2004 by contractors funded by southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act funds. The walls of the other two kilns will be stabilized. You are welcome to view the kilns and their rehabilitation outside of the fence area. If you have any questions or need to report any vandalism, call 702-515-5400.