Piedmont
Kilns in the High Desert
State: Wyoming
County: Uinta County
Founded: 1869
Abandoned: 1940s
Peak Population: 500
Piedmont was built to produce charcoal for railroad locomotives. Three massive stone beehive kilns turned timber into fuel. When railroads switched to coal, Piedmont lost its purpose. The kilns remain as dramatic monuments on the Wyoming prairie.
Charcoal Industry
Before coal became standard, railroads used charcoal. Piedmont's kilns operated around the clock, turning local timber into fuel for the Union Pacific.
The Kilns
The three surviving kilns are 30 feet tall and built of local sandstone. They are among the best-preserved charcoal kilns in the West.
Timeline
- 1869 - Founded Charcoal production began
- 1880s - Peak Full operation
- 1901 - Kilns Closed Railroad switched to coal
- 1940s - Abandoned Last residents left
Plan Your Visit
Best Time: Summer
Difficulty: Easy with high-clearance vehicle
Time Needed: 1 hour
Quick Facts
- Three 30-foot stone kilns still stand
- Railroad ties visible on the ground
- On the National Register of Historic Places
Location
Address: Near Evanston, Wyoming
Coordinates: 41.2125, -110.7917