Research: Sawmill Database

Alpha-Numeric Key:	UP-8
Corporate Name:	Barton and Smith
Local Name:
Owner Name:	Barton and Smith
Location:	Rhonesboro, about twelve miles west of Gilmer, on the Texas Southern RR
County:	Upshur
Years in Operation:	13 years
Start Year:	1900
End Year:	1912
Decades:	1900-1909,1910-1919
Period of Operation:	About 1900 to 1912
Town:	Rhonesboro
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:	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:	Texas Southern (became Marshall & East Texas in 1909)
Historicial Development:	Barton and Smith were reported by The Gilmer Mirror to have a sawmill at or near Rhonesboro after the turn of the century. The newspaper, in 1968, reported that the area “became such an important lumber shipping point that a thriving town grew up there including several stores, hotels, bank, cotton yard, gin, drug store, barber ship, livery stables, pottery, saloons, market and many other enterprises. After the timber was all cut the mills closed down and the railroad closed down too in 1917.” This was probably the sawmill noted in the county records. D. F. Smith took a timber deed and a right-of-way from Ann Early on January 12, 1907, on land located about nine miles east of Gilmer. The timber was post oak.
Research Date:	MCJ 05-03-96
Prepared By:	M Johnson