Research: Sawmill Database

Alpha-Numeric Key: CK-387
Corporate Name: W. H. Burkett
Local Name:
Owner Name: W. H. Burkett
Location: Enumeration District (Larissa) 15, 1880 Census, on the Neches River
County: Cherokee
Years in Operation: 2 years
Start Year: 1879
End Year: 1880
Decades: 1870-1879,1880-1889
Period of Operation: 1879 to 1880
Town: On the Neches River (Larissa)
Company Town: 2
Peak Town Size: Unknown
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: 20-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: Unknown
Produced:
Rough Lumber Planed Lumber Crossties Timbers
Lathe Ceiling Unknown Beading
Flooring Paper Plywood Particle Board
Treated Other
Equipment: Circular sawmill with no remanufactures
Company Tram:
Associated Railroads: None
Historicial Development: W. H. Burkett was sawmilling in Cherokee County as early as 1879. That year he either bought from or mortgaged to B. C. Rhone an engine, a sawmill, wagons, and machinery. According to the Census of 1880, W. H. Burnett had $1000 invested in a 20-horsepower steam sawmill in Cherokee County in 1880. The mill ran only six months during the census year ending May 31, 1880. Burnett employed nine hands (four children under sixteen years old), and paid $1.00 to $3.00 per day in wages, totaling $700 for the year. The average work day ranged from was ten to twelve hours. Burkett did his own logging.
Research Date: MCJ 01-31-96
Prepared By: M. Johnson