CAMP ABBOT
Deschutes County - the site became Sunriver
October 30, 1943: "Thirty members of Camp Abbot cadre, attached to the Engineer Division, are engaged in a logging project approximately eight miles from ERTC headquarters. Logs of considerable size, to be used in construction of camp projects, are being cut from trees felled by the soldier loggers. After being trimmed the logs are brought to the post sawmill where they are cut to designated sizes." (Abbot Engineer)
March 18, 1944: " 'Removal of the sawmill to a new site on the river and the completion of a kiln nearby will eliminate the many lumber problems of Camp Abbot,' said Captain John V. Banks in describing a six week-old construction project being erected midway between the floating bridge and assault boat areas.
Prior to the construction of the kiln, Captain Banks explained, that the construction work had been hampered by a poor quality of purchased wood as well as delay and red tape in procuring priorities for the lumber. More than 75 per cent of the lumber used in camp construction was purchased because Abbot had no moisture removing process other than air drying which takes four months even in summer affording only inferior quality lumber. With the already completed 40,000 feet capacity kiln it would be possible to produce most of the needed shop lumber supply in camp. In addition the problem of washing the logs and keeping them from freezing before they are cut has been solved by the new location of the mill on the Deschutes river and the 172 degree heating process of the kiln.
The new kiln is already being used to dry lumber for use in the officer's club, but the remainder of the project will take another month. At that time the sawmill school will be moved and students will assure operation of the new mill. Cpl. Joe Krejci, in charge of the construction work under the supervision of Capt. Howard F. McKeown. 'The entire project is shaping up quite well despite the cold weather interference. The sawmill has been under construction for six weeks and should be completed soon whereupon railroad tracks will be placed to connect the mill with the kiln---a distance of 100 yards." (Abbot Engineer)
Prior to the construction of the kiln, Captain Banks explained, that the construction work had been hampered by a poor quality of purchased wood as well as delay and red tape in procuring priorities for the lumber. More than 75 per cent of the lumber used in camp construction was purchased because Abbot had no moisture removing process other than air drying which takes four months even in summer affording only inferior quality lumber. With the already completed 40,000 feet capacity kiln it would be possible to produce most of the needed shop lumber supply in camp. In addition the problem of washing the logs and keeping them from freezing before they are cut has been solved by the new location of the mill on the Deschutes river and the 172 degree heating process of the kiln.
The new kiln is already being used to dry lumber for use in the officer's club, but the remainder of the project will take another month. At that time the sawmill school will be moved and students will assure operation of the new mill. Cpl. Joe Krejci, in charge of the construction work under the supervision of Capt. Howard F. McKeown. 'The entire project is shaping up quite well despite the cold weather interference. The sawmill has been under construction for six weeks and should be completed soon whereupon railroad tracks will be placed to connect the mill with the kiln---a distance of 100 yards." (Abbot Engineer)