Research: Sawmill Database

Alpha-Numeric Key:	PK-66
Corporate Name:	John F. Carr
Local Name:
Owner Name:	John F. Carr
Location:	Subdivision #21, U. S. Census, 1870 (Swiftfield, later Ace)
County:	Polk
Years in Operation:	2 years
Start Year:	1869
End Year:	1870
Decades:	1860-1869,1870-1879
Period of Operation:	1869 to 1870
Town:	Subdivision #21, U. S. Census, 1870 (Swiftfield, later Ace)
Company Town:	2
Peak Town Size:	Unknown
Mill Pond:
Type of Mill:	Cotton, then later cotton and lumber Sawmill Pine Sawmill Hardwood Sawmill Cypress Sawmill Planer Planer Only Shingle Paper Plywood Cotton Grist Unknown Other
Power Source:	Horse-powered, later 35-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:	30,000 feet of pine and oak lumber during the reporting period of the Census 0f 1870
Produced:	Rough Lumber Planed Lumber Crossties Timbers Lathe Ceiling Unknown Beading Flooring Paper Plywood Particle Board Treated Other
Equipment:	Sawmill and gin
Company Tram:
Associated Railroads:	None
Historicial Development:	According to the Census of 1870, John F. Carr ran a saw mill in Polk County. This may be the same John F. Carr who had a saw and grist mill on Menard Creek during the 1850s. In 1870, his mill had a capital investment of $4,000 and $50 in logs. In a two-month operation, he employed twelve men whom he paid a total of $100. They manufactured 300,000 feet of pine and oak lumber of a value of $3,450. According to Webb, Carr settled Ace, Polk County, in 1839, and built a horse-gin and later a steam-powered gin and sawmill. He owned a wharf on the Trinity River and built a number of boats. The town was first called Swiftfield, then later Ace.
Research Date:	MCJ 02-27-96
Prepared By:	M. Johnson