Research: Sawmill Database

Alpha-Numeric Key: BO-60
Corporate Name: L. W. Lowery
Local Name:
Owner Name: L. W. Lowery
Location: District #1, Census of 1880
County: Bowie
Years in Operation: 2 years
Start Year: 1879
End Year: 1880
Decades: 1870-1879,1880-1889
Period of Operation: 1879 to 1880
Town: Unknown
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: 18.5-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: 250,000 feet of lumber during the reporting period of the Census
Produced:
Rough Lumber Planed Lumber Crossties Timbers
Lathe Ceiling Unknown Beading
Flooring Paper Plywood Particle Board
Treated Other
Equipment: Gang and circular sawmill
Company Tram:
Associated Railroads: Unknown
Historicial Development: Lowery, in 1880, according to the Census, did his own logging near the L & P railroad. His mill was d to be a $2,500 capital investment. At the height of the season, he employed sixteen workers but the average was five. They worked a ten-hour day. Skilled laborers earned $2.50 daily, and unskilled $1.15. The mill worked fulltime three months of the year, and Lowery paid a monthly wage of $500. With an investment of $1,450 in raw supplies, the mill manufactured 250,000 board feet for a gross value of $2,500. L. W. Lowry (District 1) Capital invested: $2,500 Employees: 16 greatest number of hands, 5 average, working 10 hours daily in summer and winter, with skilled labor $2.50 daily, unskilled $1.15; Total Annual Wages: $500 paid in 3 mos FT Raw Materials: $1,450 in logs and other mill supplies Annual Production & Total Value: 250,000 BF for $2,500 Remanufacturing & amount: Does its own logging and shipping: Yes, along the L&PRR, No Equipment: 1 gang saw, 1 circular saw, 18-HP steam engine & boiler
Research Date: MCJ 03-08-96
Prepared By: M. Johnson