Research: Sawmill Database

Alpha-Numeric Key:	LI-99
Corporate Name:	Clark & Kilgore
Local Name:	Union Steam Sawmill
Owner Name:	Clark and Kilgore
Location:	Six miles north from the mouth of the Trinity River
County:	Liberty
Years in Operation:	5 years
Start Year:	1851
End Year:	1855
Decades:	1850-1859
Period of Operation:	Early 1850s
Town:	Six miles north from the Trinity River mouth
Company Town:	2
Peak Town Size:	Unknown
Mill Pond:
Type of Mill:	Primarily cypress, some pine Sawmill Pine Sawmill Hardwood Sawmill Cypress Sawmill Planer Planer Only Shingle Paper Plywood Cotton Grist Unknown Other
Power Source:	Steam Horse Mule Oxen Water Water Overshot Water Turbine Diesel Unknown Pit Steam Steam Circular Steam Band Gas Electricity Other
Maximum Capacity:	5000: 1850
Capacity Comments:	5,000 feet daily
Produced:	Rough Lumber Planed Lumber Crossties Timbers Lathe Ceiling Unknown Beading Flooring Paper Plywood Particle Board Treated Other
Equipment:	Sash sawmill
Company Tram:
Associated Railroads:	None
Historicial Development:	The firm of Clark & Kilgore operated a sawmill in Liberty County during the 1850s. Schooners and other craft could access this mill when the river was high. This mill's boiler exploded in 1853, with minimal damage and no human injury or loss of life. The mill was for sale in 1855. The (Galveston) Weekly News noted on 3 June 1851 that Clark and Kilgore owned a large sawmill located about six miles above the mouth of the Trinity River, placing it near the present-day Wallisville area. The lumber was exported by schooners and small craft, which could get over the bar to Galveston. Cypress, and some pine, was rafted down the Trinity to the mill, where it was sawed into lumber at a price of $20.00 per thousand feet.
Research Date:	MCJ 03-14-96
Prepared By:	M. Johnson