The Cherry Valley Coke Ovens were constructed in 1866 by the Leetonia Iron & Coal Company. The company eventually changed their name to the Cherry Valley Iron Works. The operation ceased in the 1930's, due to the Great Depression. This site contains the largest collection of coke ovens in the United States. There's roughly 200 ovens total. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.

An electric cab locomotive ran along the tracks on top of the ovens. The locomotive was built by the Jeffrey Manufacturing Company. The cars dumped coal directly into the top of the ovens.

Coke ovens are used to produce coke from coal. The coal is heated up in the ovens, which removes most of the gases from the coal, thus turning it into coke. Coke is used as an industrial fuel because it burns with immense heat. Coke was a vital material used to produce iron in the furnaces.