These 13 Rare Photos Show Mississippi's Lumber History Like Never Before
By Daniella DiRienzo|Published February 11, 2017
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Daniella DiRienzo
Author
Though Daniella was born in New York and has lived in a couple of other states, Mississippi has been her home for more than 30 years. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Daniella began to hone her writing skills through various internships. In the years since, she’s had the privilege of having her articles appear in several publications, such as the Mississippi-based Parents & Kids Magazine. She’s also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience.
To early settlers looking to build, the millions of acres of forests that filled Mississippi were considered nothing more than a nuisance. However, by the 1840s, that way of thinking was on its way out, as saw mills began popping up in the state’s coastal region. Before long, Mississippi had a flourishing lumber industry, and although the boom didn’t last long, it forever changed the state. Take a look at these photos for a rare glimpse at what life was like during this defining period in Mississippi’s history.
1. Since early mills depended on water transportation, the first in the state were opened along the Pearl, Escatawpa, and Pascagoula Rivers and Bayou Bernard.
According to records, many men who had grown up on farms "preferred jobs in the lumber industry and became loggers or sawmill workers."
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3. From 1904 to 1915, the timber industry in Mississippi was at its prime – producing more lumber than every other state except Washington and Louisiana.
Initially, lumber was transported by a caralog - an ox-driven two-wheeled wagon. By 1905, it was replaced by the Lindsey Eight-Wheel Wagon, which was designed by Laurel residents, the Lindsey brothers.
5. In 1910, the value of production was nearly $43 million!
Aside from shipping finished products, the railroads provided a means to access timberland that had previously been inaccessible, which was essential to the industry since timber near streams was being rapidly depleted.
8. In order to expand trade with foreign countries, several ports, such as Gulfport, popped up around the state.
As a way to cut costs and increase production, many farmers began "skidder logging." Although effective, the process destroyed smaller trees and prevented new ones from growing, leaving the land completely depleted. Furthermore, many sawmills were exhausting their timber supply in a few short years because tax laws encouraged sawmill operators cut down as many trees in as short of time period as possible.
13. The dwindling lumber supply, combined with the Great Depression, caused even more mills to close down.
