Research: Sawmill Database

Alpha-Numeric Key:	GG-61
Corporate Name:	James O'Bryne
Local Name:
Owner Name:	James O'Bryne. J. O'Bern
Location:	Longview
County:	Gregg
Years in Operation:	6 years
Start Year:	1879
End Year:	1884
Decades:	1870-1879,1880-1889
Period of Operation:	1879 to 1884
Town:	Longview
Company Town:	2
Peak Town Size:	2,300 in 1882
Mill Pond:
Type of Mill:	Lumber Sawmill Pine Sawmill Hardwood Sawmill Cypress Sawmill Planer Planer Only Shingle Paper Plywood Cotton Grist Unknown Other
Power Source:	30-horsepower steam engine Horse Mule Oxen Water Water Overshot Water Turbine Diesel Unknown Pit Steam Steam Circular Steam Band Gas Electricity Other
Maximum Capacity:
Capacity Comments:	1,200,000 board feet during the reporting period of the 1880 Census
Produced:	Rough Lumber Planed Lumber Crossties Timbers Lathe Ceiling Unknown Beading Flooring Paper Plywood Particle Board Treated Other
Equipment:	Sawmill
Company Tram:
Associated Railroads:	Texas & Pacific
Historicial Development:	Rand, McNally and Company's Directory and Shipping Guide of Lumber Mills and Lumber Dealers listed the sawmill firm of “J. O'Bern” at Longview in 1884. The man's name was James O' Byrne; he was listed as such in the 1880 schedule of manufacturers in Precinct 3 of Gregg County during the 1880 Census. His sawmill, valued at $1,500, was powered by a 30-horsepower steam engine and boiler. The mill in the twelve-month reporting period employed twelve to twenty men who earned a wage of $1.25 to $2.00 for an eleven-hour day. The men were paid a total combined wage during the period of $2,400. The mill cut from $6,100 worth of raw materials a total of 1,200,000 board feet of lumber valued at $11,968. O'Bryne did his logging near his mill.
Research Date:	JKG 9-23-93, MCJ 04-19-96
Prepared By:	J Gerland, M Johnson