[2] In the early 1860s, Irish businessman William Lee discovered rich deposits of coal, ore and lime under the soil of today's Leetonia.

Lee began to buy the surrounding land and established the company "The Leetonia Coal & Iron Company" which consisted of a coal mine, coke ovens, and a blast furnace.

Coke has a much higher temperature point than regular coal so it was preferred for use in the mills.

Financial troubles hit the company during the Great Depression and the ovens were closed permanently.

[5] The village of Leetonia developed the Cherry Valley Coke Ovens Park on the site.