L. B. MENEFEE BOX FACTORY & PLANING MILL
3 mi. E. of La Grande
October 13, 1923: "The sale of the Elgin Box factory to the L. B. Menefee Lumber company of Portland had been completed, according to R. L. Shoemaker, cashier of the First National bank of Elgin. The deal has been underway since July 12 and is one of the biggest that has been made in Elgin in a number of months.
By its terms the box factory and land upon which it is situated is taken from the bank and the Sommer estate by the Menefee company for a cash consideration.
Although nothing definite is known of the plans of the new company it is confidently expected that they plan to place the plant in operation within a short time. The fact that the land was acquired in the deal is taken as one good sign they will run the mill.
The Menefee Lumber company has been actively identified with western Oregon lumbering operations for some time with headquarters at Portland and mills in different parts of the state. The same company is said to be interested in the White Pine box factory and in other eastern Oregon concerns.
The Elgin box factory after its enlargement by the Adams Brothers in 1920 became one of the best equipped plants in the state. For a time when in full operation it employed 500 men and took the output of five small mills cutting near Elgin, and bought some material on the open market.
The plant has been closed since 1921. It passed into the hands of the bank and Dan Sommer through bankruptcy proceedings, the bank buying it in to protect its interests as a heavy creditor." (La Grande Observer)
By its terms the box factory and land upon which it is situated is taken from the bank and the Sommer estate by the Menefee company for a cash consideration.
Although nothing definite is known of the plans of the new company it is confidently expected that they plan to place the plant in operation within a short time. The fact that the land was acquired in the deal is taken as one good sign they will run the mill.
The Menefee Lumber company has been actively identified with western Oregon lumbering operations for some time with headquarters at Portland and mills in different parts of the state. The same company is said to be interested in the White Pine box factory and in other eastern Oregon concerns.
The Elgin box factory after its enlargement by the Adams Brothers in 1920 became one of the best equipped plants in the state. For a time when in full operation it employed 500 men and took the output of five small mills cutting near Elgin, and bought some material on the open market.
The plant has been closed since 1921. It passed into the hands of the bank and Dan Sommer through bankruptcy proceedings, the bank buying it in to protect its interests as a heavy creditor." (La Grande Observer)
August 22, 1925: "The Menefee Lumber company has received a huge gasoline donkey engine at Lone Tree to be used in the logging operations now being conducted by the company in Ladd Canyon.
The machine is of special design with a number of unusual features. It was constructed by a concern in Seattle to fulfill the requirements of the Menefee operations which make necessary a machine capable of doing work on steep hillsides. The donkey was made according to plans furnished by engineers of the Menefee Company and is unlike anything else ever employed in this part of the country in logging work.
Powered by gasoline it will take the place of the regular steam donkey and will thus materially diminish the fire hazard.
The machine is now on the side track at Lone Tree where it is the object of a good deal of interest. It will be at Lone Tree until tomorrow noon when it will be taken up Ladd Canyon." (La Grande Observer)
The machine is of special design with a number of unusual features. It was constructed by a concern in Seattle to fulfill the requirements of the Menefee operations which make necessary a machine capable of doing work on steep hillsides. The donkey was made according to plans furnished by engineers of the Menefee Company and is unlike anything else ever employed in this part of the country in logging work.
Powered by gasoline it will take the place of the regular steam donkey and will thus materially diminish the fire hazard.
The machine is now on the side track at Lone Tree where it is the object of a good deal of interest. It will be at Lone Tree until tomorrow noon when it will be taken up Ladd Canyon." (La Grande Observer)
March 13, 1926: "The box factory and planing mill of the L. B. Menefee Lumber company at Lone Tree will resume operations Monday morning at 7:30 o'clock after being shut down during the winter months. Plans are to keep the mills running all summer. The company employs about forty-five men in these two plants.
Lumber for the box factory and planing mill is obtained from Ladd canyon, where the Menefee camps and sawmill are located." (La Grande Observer)
Lumber for the box factory and planing mill is obtained from Ladd canyon, where the Menefee camps and sawmill are located." (La Grande Observer)
March 26, 1926: "The L. B. Menefee box factory and planing mill located three mills east of La Grande resumed operations Monday morning after an all-winter shut-down. The company employs 45 men and procures its timber from Ladd canyon holdings near here." (The Ione Independent)
February 10, 1931: "Joe Harrison of Grange Hall has purchased the cottage formerly used as the office at the Menefee Lumber Co.'s plant at Lone Tree and has moved it to his farm. He is having the building repaired and improved. It will be occupied by a family who will be employed by Mr. Harrison to help on the farm." (La Grande Observer)