The History of the Park

In 1899, a coal mine was opened on Fredonia Mountain overlooking Dunlap, Tennessee. For the next quarter century, the mining operations grew into an industrial complex that contributed greatly to the thriving economy and evolving social structure of a small town.

Constructed at the base of the mountain were a series of "beehive" ovens, designed to turn coal into coke for use in the iron and steel foundries of nearby Chattanooga. The first 24 ovens and the company store were built in 1902. Then, in 1906, 144 ovens and a steam powered coal washer were constructed. In 1916 a new railroad up Little Brush Creek created the demand for more coke production. Along with a one million dollar coal washer, 100 more beehive coke ovens were built on the east end of the site. These last ovens and the coal washer were used very little due to the company filing for bankruptcy in the mid 1920's. A total of 268 stone ovens had been built when, in 1927, the mining operations were shut down due to failing coal prices and the onset of the Depression.

The coke ovens lay dormant for more than 50 years, exposed to the ravages of nature, garbage dumpers and rock thieves who dismantled stone from the ovens. In the mid 1980's local citizens formed a historical group and began efforts to clear away the debris; soon a historical Today the ruins of the once thriving complex cover most of the 62-acre park. The property was donated, for preservation, to the Historical Association by Bowater Southern Paper Company. The sandstone and brick walls of the ovens still stand much as they looked when masons built them. Excavation work continues to uncover more of the ovens. The park has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it is maintained by the Coke Ovens Museum Association and The Sequatchie Valley Historical Association volunteers.
 

The Museum's History

The Sequatchie Valley Historical Association, formed in 1984, set a goal to build an exact full size replica of the original coal company store "Commissary". The original "Commissary" building was constructed in 1902 by the Douglas Coal and Coke Company and was torn down after 1927 when the Chattanooga Iron and Coal Company bankrupted. Historical members researched photographs and maps to locate the original four corners of the "Commissary". The building measured 92' long and 46' wide, and including the observation copula was three stories tall. The reconstruction began in 1987 with ground-breaking ceremonies held at the park. The Studer coal family donated the first $5,000 toward the building fund.

In 1989, Rhea County historian Mr. David Henry Gray died, and in his will named the Dunlap Coke Ovens Museum as the beneficiary of 30% of his residual assets, totaling over $71,000. Due to Mr. Gray's generosity, the Coke Ovens Museum became a reality with the reconstruction of "The Commissary". The new "Commissary" sits exactly where the old building originally existed . Today it is called the Dunlap Coke Ovens Museum, and is dedicated in memory of Mr. Gray-

The museum currently houses the largest collection of regional historic coal mining photographs in the state of Tennessee. Hundreds of donated mining artifacts are on display inside the museum. The Sequatchie Valley Historical Association is still accepting any coal related artifacts to add to their collection.

Special Events

The Annual Coke Ovens Bluegrass Festival - 1st weekend in June.

The Annual Coke Ovens Fall Festival - 1st Saturday in October.

The 4th of July Parade - right in downtown Dunlap.

The World's Longest Outdoor Sale on Corridor 127. From Covington KY to Chattanooga, TN. This happens during the third weekend in August. Call 1-800-327-3945 for more information. www.127sale.com