ARMSTRONG LUMBER COMPANY
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Lane County - Blue River
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May 14, 1951: "The McKenzie area will soon be able to boast of a new sawmill. The new 'Double A' Lumber Co. is now under construction about one mile below Blue River, on the old Sparks ranch property. Land for the mill has been purchased from Louis Brooks by Everett Armstrong and Hal Andrus, both of Eugene, who are constructing and will operate the mill.
The huge log pond has already been dug and the actual construction of the buildings is underway. The mill should be in operation by mid-summer, according to Andrus, head of construction.
The mill will have an approximate capacity of 50,000 board feet of lumber per day. It will be powered by electricity, and will pipe the necessary water for operation, by gravity system, from a spring and streams in the surrounding hills. The rough lumber will then be trucked to Eugene.
Armstrong is well known on the McKenzie, where he has had logging operations for many years, and also owns the Armstrong Logging Co. sawmill in Eugene. Andrus has been in the mill business in and out of Eugene and on the coast for the past 15 years.
Plans are for year-round operation which, of course, will benefit this area immensely. We are all looking forward to the completion of this new business and the advantages it will bring to this community." (The Eugene Guard)
The huge log pond has already been dug and the actual construction of the buildings is underway. The mill should be in operation by mid-summer, according to Andrus, head of construction.
The mill will have an approximate capacity of 50,000 board feet of lumber per day. It will be powered by electricity, and will pipe the necessary water for operation, by gravity system, from a spring and streams in the surrounding hills. The rough lumber will then be trucked to Eugene.
Armstrong is well known on the McKenzie, where he has had logging operations for many years, and also owns the Armstrong Logging Co. sawmill in Eugene. Andrus has been in the mill business in and out of Eugene and on the coast for the past 15 years.
Plans are for year-round operation which, of course, will benefit this area immensely. We are all looking forward to the completion of this new business and the advantages it will bring to this community." (The Eugene Guard)
August 23, 1961: "Wind-driven sparks from a burner were blamed for a $200,000 blaze that destroyed the Armstrong Lumber Co. sawmill near Blue River in 22 minutes Tuesday afternoon.
The blaze, fanned by winds of 25 to 30 m.p.h., ignited spot fires in nearby timber, but firefighters from Eastern Lane Fire Patrol, the U. S. Forest Service and the mill crew successfully prevented the spread of the fire toward the community of Blue River, one mile to the east.
The $200,000 estimate of losses---in the plant, equipment and inventory---was made by Harry T. Phillipo of Eugene, who leased the sawmill from owner Forrest Solomon of Blue River.
The fire at the mill, largest in the upper McKenzie River Valley, was first reported about 5:35 p.m., daylight. Solomon said the mill was leveled by flames in only 22 minutes.
Reported cause was a down-draft in a burner, which sent sparks flying, according to Evelyn Corum, an employe at the Blue River Ranger Station.
She said the fire knocked out electric and telephone connections immediately, forcing mill employes to drive to the drive to the ranger station to report the blaze. The mill structure reportedly was razed by flames within 15 minutes, she added.
The stiff winds caused several spot fires in timber along the river, but firefighters were able to get portable pumps into the river and control the outbreaks. Some 60 men, seven tankers and three bulldozers remained at the scene throughout the night to prevent further outbreaks from the smoldering ruins.
The Blue River Veneer plant, located adjacent to the burned mill, was not damaged.
The mill reportedly employed about 20 men and had a capacity of 80,000 board feet daily. Solomon purchased it about a year ago from Everett Armstrong, who now lives at Prineville." (The Eugene Guard)
The blaze, fanned by winds of 25 to 30 m.p.h., ignited spot fires in nearby timber, but firefighters from Eastern Lane Fire Patrol, the U. S. Forest Service and the mill crew successfully prevented the spread of the fire toward the community of Blue River, one mile to the east.
The $200,000 estimate of losses---in the plant, equipment and inventory---was made by Harry T. Phillipo of Eugene, who leased the sawmill from owner Forrest Solomon of Blue River.
The fire at the mill, largest in the upper McKenzie River Valley, was first reported about 5:35 p.m., daylight. Solomon said the mill was leveled by flames in only 22 minutes.
Reported cause was a down-draft in a burner, which sent sparks flying, according to Evelyn Corum, an employe at the Blue River Ranger Station.
She said the fire knocked out electric and telephone connections immediately, forcing mill employes to drive to the drive to the ranger station to report the blaze. The mill structure reportedly was razed by flames within 15 minutes, she added.
The stiff winds caused several spot fires in timber along the river, but firefighters were able to get portable pumps into the river and control the outbreaks. Some 60 men, seven tankers and three bulldozers remained at the scene throughout the night to prevent further outbreaks from the smoldering ruins.
The Blue River Veneer plant, located adjacent to the burned mill, was not damaged.
The mill reportedly employed about 20 men and had a capacity of 80,000 board feet daily. Solomon purchased it about a year ago from Everett Armstrong, who now lives at Prineville." (The Eugene Guard)