North End Lumber Co. (1901-1933)

Intro needed here

This mill was built by George Reed and John C. Buchanan, and was at the end-of-the-line—of what was considered Old Town’s “string of lumber mills”. (It was just west of Defiance Mill and right next to the smelter). Over its years of operation, no major problems or disasters would befall this mill—it went along its way, producing roughly eight to 15 million board feet of lumber on an annual basis.

The only problem the mill had (in hindsight) was somewhat humorous: Donald Buchanan said that each time the smelter had some sort of concussion blast or “explosion”, it knocked all the windows out of the west end of the mill buildings. This was a constant aggravation to the mill owners, but the smelter sent men over to replace the glass each time. Considering the fires and mishaps which damaged or destroyed other mills over the years, the blown-out windows were minor.

The mill was sold to Ralph Dickman in the mid-1920s, but it did not make money heading into the depression y ears, and it eventually closed in 1933.

The North End Mill site was consumed by the expansion of the smelter; it would become the only site which was no longer available (for other business use, or historical viewing) until the smelter’s facilities were razed and the area once again made accessible.