Research: Sawmill Database

Alpha-Numeric Key: SB-88
Corporate Name: Santa Fe Mill at Brookeland
Local Name:
Owner Name: Santa Fe
Location: Brookeland
County: Sabine
Years in Operation: 5 years
Start Year: 1905
End Year: 1909
Decades: 1900-1909
Period of Operation: 1905
Town: Brookeland
Company Town: 1
Peak Town Size: 144 in 1905; 800 in 1906
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: Steam
Horse Mule Oxen Water
Water Overshot Water Turbine Diesel Unknown
Pit Steam Steam Circular Steam Band
Gas Electricity Other
Maximum Capacity: 75000: 1906
Capacity Comments: 75,000 feet daily
Produced:
Rough Lumber Planed Lumber Crossties Timbers
Lathe Ceiling Unknown Beading
Flooring Paper Plywood Particle Board
Treated Other
Equipment: Sawmill
Company Tram:
Associated Railroads: Santa Fe
Historicial Development: American Lumberman reported in February 1905 that Santa Fe was constructing a new sawmill at Brookeland with a daily cutting capacity of 75,000 feet. The Santa Fe mill was not listed in the Reference Book of the Lumbermen's Credit Association, January 1907. The mill was producing timbers, lumber, and crossties. The Southern Industrial and Lumber Review in 1909 reported the mill had been operating on double shifts since January. A new set of boilers was being added. Drayton Speights, life-long resident and lumberman of Sabine County, recalled to Vernon L. Beasley that the Santa Fe had built its line to Brookeland in 1902 and put in a mill at the town. Some researchers believe that a Santa Fe mill at Brookeland is incorrect and that this mill may be a Garrison-Norton mill. However, American Lumberman noted in February 1906 that Santa Fe was acquiring mills on the towns of “its extension.” Santa Fe stated that it would name one of the new mill towns on the extension “Elizabeth” in honor of C. F. Park's heiress.
Research Date: MCJ 02-13-96
Prepared By: M. Johnson