Cottonwood Charcoal Kilns from 1868-1875 Wood from the Sierras was bought here to be smelted into charcoal. Charcoal is an alternate to coal. The charcoal was then hauled by the steamer "Bessie Brady" or "Mollie Stevens" across Owens Lake (now dry due to diversion to Los Angeles) to the Cerro Gordo Lead Mine. The bullion from the mine was then taken back across the lake and on to Los Angeles.