Research: Sawmill Database

Alpha-Numeric Key: CS-126
Corporate Name: Sheets Brothers
Local Name:
Owner Name: E. F., A., and Charlie Sheets
Location: Near Atlanta
County: Cass
Years in Operation: 10 years
Start Year: 1884
End Year: 1893
Decades: 1880-1889,1890-1899
Period of Operation: 1884 to about 1893
Town: Atlanta
Company Town: 1
Peak Town Size: Unknown
Mill Pond:
Type of Mill: Rough and finished lumber
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: 50000: 1893
Capacity Comments: Estimated 50,000 feet daily
Produced:
Rough Lumber Planed Lumber Crossties Timbers
Lathe Ceiling Unknown Beading
Flooring Paper Plywood Particle Board
Treated Other
Equipment: Sawmill and planing mill
Company Tram:
Associated Railroads: Texas & Pacific
Historicial Development: John D. Hanes noted that the Sheets Brothers opened a sawmill and planer in 1884 at Atlanta. The following year, they removed the sawmill out to the road to Rodessa but left the planer in town. They built about three-quarters of a mile from the depot. Sheets Brothers, Temple, Scott, and Queen City Lumber Company operated a joint tram operation for some years. Cass County records note that the company operated until the early 1890s. Their plant was located on Jane Richey land in Atlanta, which must have placed them very close to the Temple & Scott, later Atlanta Lumber Company. A Deed of Trust in 1890 reveals that some of their equipment included the sawmill, a planing mill, two boilers, an edger, a lathe machine, and eighty oxen. They may have sold out to either Atlanta Lumber Company or Jefferson Lumber Company by 1893. Atlanta, according to the Handbook of Texas, was established on the Texas and Pacific route about 1872. By 1890 it had a population of 1,794.
Research Date: MCJ 04-04-96
Prepared By: M Johnson