Research: Sawmill Database

Alpha-Numeric Key: HO-83
Corporate Name: Joseph P. Pritchard
Local Name:
Owner Name: Joseph P. Pritchard
Location: Randolph, east of Crockett
County: Houston
Years in Operation: 2 years
Start Year: 1859
End Year: 1860
Decades: 1850-1859,1860-1869
Period of Operation: 1859 to 1860
Town: Randolph, east of Crockett
Company Town: 2
Peak Town Size: Unknown
Mill Pond:
Type of Mill: Lumber and grain
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: 
Capacity Comments: 160,000 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: Sawmill and grist mill
Company Tram:
Associated Railroads: None
Historicial Development: The Joseph P. Pritchard multi-purpose mill manufactured lumber and ground meal. Valued at $4,000, it had raw materials including $361 in sawlogs and $4,000 worth of corn. It carried a monthly payroll of four men averaging $20 each. It produced 160,000 feet of lumber valued at $1,780 and 3,700 bushels of cornmeal valued at $4,600. Block notes that “Pritchard was a Baptist preacher closely associated with two Houston County churches between 1860 and 1873.” Randolph was an early Houston County community situated to the east of Crockett. Pritchard probably shipped any export of cornmeal and lumber at Hall's Bluff and Alabama on the Trinity River. The coming of the International & Great Northern to Crockett in 1872, with greater opportunity for transportation, led to the demise of this early East Texas community.
Research Date: MCJ 02-20-96
Prepared By: M. Johnson