Has anyone ever seen a wood burning stove like this one? The 30 sites in Lone Pine Campground in Lone Pine CA all have them.
At first glance I thought it was a bread maker then a small pet crematorium but now I'm not sure what it's purpose is. The regular fire pit/grille should take care of most needs. Maybe it's used like a stove top.
Maybe you are supposed to use it during high fire danger? Stand on it to thaw feet?

I think it's attractive and I like the surrounding masonry work. I would ask the Campground Host but he has a sign out that says "Day Off".

You ever woken up in the morning and crawled out of your sleeping bag with a cold backside? Well this device cures that. Get a real good fire going in that thing before you go to bed and by morning the fire should have died down but the metal should retain enough heat to efficiently warm your backside when you sit on it.

Otherwise I suppose you could also use it as a stove stop to heat water or fry up some eggs.

I'd like to point out that you would need to fill it full of ice to "unthaw" your feet. [thaw: to become liquid or soft due to warming. The opposite of thaw; unthaw, means to freeze]

I would guess that the enclosed one would be used during high risk fire times. Note the chimney with the screen on to catch the sparks. Regular fire grate during low risk of fire. But I’m basing this on nothing.

Or a super duper fire pit for all those twisty ties, tin foil, plastic trash we see in our pits. Kidding.

Here is something made by the CCC in the 30's for camp/park cooking, at Goodman Park Marinette WI. Hexagonal with roof and seating, 6 wood stoves. Would not take much to start cooking on or baking in one.



butthead

That looks kind of like a permanently mounted version of a wood fired camping stove we used to use in Boy Scouts called a Sheepherder stove. When the top is seasoned well they make awesome pancakes, etc. Place pots anywhere convenient, rearrange as necessary.

quote Banksiana: "I'd like to point out that you would need to fill it full of ice to "unthaw" your feet. [thaw: to become liquid or soft due to warming. The opposite of thaw; unthaw, means to freeze]"

Thanks. I fixed it. I don't know why I have always used the word unthaw when I mean thaw.

Perhaps it was part of an earlier structure like BH posted. Looks like the open pit is a much more resent arrival.

quote Zulu:
Thanks. I fixed it. I don't know why I have always used the word unthaw when I mean thaw."

"Unthaw" is commonly used to mean its opposite, especially in the upper midwest. Has always cracked me up. I work in kitchens. Anytime someone tells me they have to "unthaw" something I point out that it is already unthawed.

Clearly the enclosed and embedded design is meant to warm the surrounding ground, thus improving rattlesnake habitat.

I'm glad I'm not the only one to use the word unthaw!

I would venture a guess that the flat fire gate with a chimney was put in years ago, perhaps as old as the CCC days.
The other one nearby is the canned fire grate we use now in our campsites. They are poorly built with thin metal. We regularly replace those because people build huge fires over them here in Alaska.

The camp was built in the 1930's by CCC or WPA as a Trailhead to hike to Mt. Whitney but I just didn't think the fireplace looked that old. Maybe the drier climate preserved it better. I would try it to make pancakes on it but campfire wood is $9.00 a bundle and it weighs about as much as Balsa wood.

Not sure about the stove, but it sure is beautiful in the background! Enjoy your time there!

Perhaps the guy that owned the foundry that cast those things had a buddy in procurement with the Forest Service...???

Could the enclosed box be for hot embers before you go to bed, or leave camp. Instead of putting the fire out completely, you just shovel it into the box?

Regardless of original motive, there are some great ideas for use here.... warm your butt while you watch the rattlesnakes!

quote northallen: "Could the enclosed box be for hot embers before you go to bed, or leave camp. Instead of putting the fire out completely, you just shovel it into the box?"

It is a stove, similar to Shaker box stoves used in the late 1800's to current times. It is for heat and cooking like any box stove used in a hot tent for winter camping.
The 1930's depression era CCC installed many at auto camps around America. It is primarily for cooking.

butthead

Thanks Butthead! I thought you might be able to figure it out.

quote Zulu: "Thanks Butthead! I thought you might be able to figure it out."

Oh Pat, what does he know about stoves. Haha. Kind of a good thread. I just filled my icecube trays so I could unthaw my water. Lol

quote nctry: "

quote Zulu: "Thanks Butthead! I thought you might be able to figure it out."

Oh Pat, what does he know about stoves. Haha. Kind of a good thread. I just filled my icecube trays so I could unthaw my water. Lol "

Hell I cooked on the one I posted about, pan fried eggs and bacon on top and baked a meal one afternoon inside with a DO. Worked great, no need to worry about an open fire pit.

Here is a link the the CCC Legacy site. You can find lists of camps and projects by state. Bit of history that should be kept up for future generations. The BWCA and Superior National Forest would not look the same without structures and improvements built by the CCC.

butthead

Butthead
You are always such a good source of info. I always learn something from your posts

quote bfurlow: "Butthead
You are always such a good source of info. I always learn something from your posts"

Yes he is, I was playing with it. Butthead is the king of stoves... Wood, gas or whatever... I was on a good drug last night. So good I don't dare use it anymore. haha. Prescription of course.