Western Fir Lumber Co. (1916-1936)

Intro needed here

After the 1910 McNeeley Mill fire, the site sat vacant until the Western Fir Lumber Co. was built in 1916. A wooden roadway and the N.P. Railroad was in by now, so access along the waterfront was easier. Western Fir was headed by Lewis E. Fredrick, then a short time later by Samuel E. Grange (who will be covered later in our tour). In the 1920s, Linneus (“L.L.”) Whitman became president and his wife Flora vice president. Their son Donald Whitman was secretary/treasurer.

The mill had become a family-run business. In 1933 L.L. died and his wife became president. Donald became mill manager and Samuel Gange once again took over a position—this time as vice president.

This mill did not contribute much in the way of improvements or record outputs. As far as 20^th century mills go, it was “just there” for 20 years. Its employees worked hard at handling lumber on what was called a “dead roller” system, rather than powered rollers which moved the lumber along so the men merely guided it. Western Fir had no major fires or problems; it ran until 1936 (the middle of the depression) then closed without incident. 

Nerheim, J. N.. The History of Lumber Mills in Old Town. Tacoma, WA. Self-published, 2004.