DEAN BLANCHARD SAWMILL
Rainier
September 18, 1873: "Dean Blanchard's mill at Rainier cut 21,000 feet of spruce in a day and a half with three men recently. The stuff was out of a raft taken from this vicinity (Astoria) for Weidler's mill, but when Rainier was reached Blanchard's mill was chartered to do the work immediately, and the order (which was for San Francisco,) went out filled by the return steamship. Blanchard is now filling orders for the Astoria dock, Wadhams and Corbett's buildings, and R. D. Hume of Bay View fishery." (Tri-Weekly Astorian)
September 18, 1891: "On the 15th a sad accident occurred at D. Blanchard's wood mill. Mr. Brou, a well known and esteemed resident of this place, while running the engine hauling logs, he got caught in the rope and wound up on the drum, crushing his right leg badly, breaking it in three places and in all probability would have been killed, but for the presence of mind and heroism of his little son aged 12w who shut off the steam and extricated his father before the men working near could come to his assistance. This occurred about noon and the steamer R. R. Thompson waited half an hour and took the injured man to Portland." (The Oregon Mist)
October 16, 1891: "Mr. Blanchard run his mill Monday but suspended operations the next day on account of his employed going to court." (The Oregon Mist)
August 18, 1905: "A gang of men are at work on the Blanchard mill lining it up and putting the mill in shape for business. It will be set in motion as soon as prices will justify operating the plant. It is one of the best sites on the Columbia river for a saw mill." (The Columbia Register)
October 6, 1905: "The underpinning of Blanchard's Mill has all been renewed, the building leveled up, and ready for occupancy. The super-structure has always been first class. This site would be excellent for a box or chair factory, or any other kind of wood working plant, in fact it is one of the very best locations on the river on account of its transportation facilities by rail and river." (The Columbia Register)