| Alpha-Numeric Key: | SH-255 |
| Corporate Name: | Watts Lumber Company |
| Local Name: | |
| Owner Name: | Watts Lumber Company. Wiley Watts. Virgil Prince. |
| Location: | Center |
| County: | Shelby |
| Years in Operation: | 16 years |
| Start Year: | 1942 |
| End Year: | 1957 |
| Decades: | 1940-1949,1950-1959 |
| Period of Operation: | 1942 to 1957 |
| Town: | Center |
| Company Town: | 2 |
| Peak Town Size: | 4,323 in Census of 1950 |
| Mill Pond: |  |
| Type of Mill: | Pine lumber
 Sawmill |
Pine Sawmill |
 Hardwood Sawmill |
Cypress Sawmill |
| Planer |
Planer Only |
Shingle |
Paper |
| Plywood |
Cotton |
Grist |
Unknown |
| Other |
|
|
|
|
| Power Source: | Unknown
| 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: | Sawmill |
| Company Tram: | |
| Associated Railroads: | Unknown |
| Historicial Development: | Watts Lumber Company was listed in the Directory of Texas Manufacturers, 1956-1958. Established in 1942, the firm produced rough lumber with less than eight workers. It was managed by Virgil Prince. The sawmill service of Wiley Watts at Center appeared in the Nelson T. Samson edition of 1957 of the Directory of Wood-Using and Related Industries in East Texas. |
| Research Date: | MCJ 03-02-96 |
| Prepared By: | M. Johnson |