Iron production in the United States was fueled
entirely by charcoal until the mid-nineteenth century when coal and coke began
to dominate as the preferred fuel. Even so, charcoal iron production increased
in absolute terms until 1890 and continued until 1945. The early iron industry
could not have existed without the secondary charcoal burning (production)
industry. Charcoal burning was an important industry in regions with iron
production, provided a market for wood after the clearing of land for
agricultural production, and contributed to forest depletion near charcoal iron
furnaces. We describe technical and cultural aspect of the charcoal burning
industry in Wisconsin, part of a region with significant charcoal iron
production. Charcoal was produced in pits and kilns. Our discussion centers on
pit production of charcoal. Production methodology via pits is discussed in
detail, illustrating production techniques common to both charcoal pits and
kilns. Charcoal burning’s contribution to forest depletion is part of that
discussion.
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