SHEVLIN-HIXON LUMBER COMPANY
Deschutes County - Bend
May 14, 1915: “Bend---Within two weeks the Shevlin-Hixon Manufacturing company will begin the construction here of a sawmill employing 500 men and cutting 80,000,000 feet a year, was the announcement made here.
To celebrate the coming of the long awaited enterprise all stores closed Wednesday afternoon while the Bend band led an impromptu auto parade, ending with speech making.
The announcement of the mill comes as the culmination of a long series of negotiations, which began in January, and have included the acquisition of 95,000 acres of pine timber land lying south and east of the town and the making of arrangements with the railroad companies for track and bridge building to the mill site.
The chief owners of the new company are T. L. Shevlin, of Minneapolis, the old Yale football captain, and Frank P. Hixon, of La Crosse, Wis.
On the death of his father in 1912 Mr. Shevlin came into extensive holdings of Deschutes timber. These were added to in January, when the Johnson-Prince, or Deschutes Lumber company, holdings were purchased, and only recently 35,000 acres were bought from the Bend Timber company. These purchases alone insure a supply of timber for the proposed mill for more than 25 years.
It is estimated that more than $15,000,000 will be paid out here in that time to mill employes alone, and that the town will double in population within a year is predicted.” (The Glendale News)
To celebrate the coming of the long awaited enterprise all stores closed Wednesday afternoon while the Bend band led an impromptu auto parade, ending with speech making.
The announcement of the mill comes as the culmination of a long series of negotiations, which began in January, and have included the acquisition of 95,000 acres of pine timber land lying south and east of the town and the making of arrangements with the railroad companies for track and bridge building to the mill site.
The chief owners of the new company are T. L. Shevlin, of Minneapolis, the old Yale football captain, and Frank P. Hixon, of La Crosse, Wis.
On the death of his father in 1912 Mr. Shevlin came into extensive holdings of Deschutes timber. These were added to in January, when the Johnson-Prince, or Deschutes Lumber company, holdings were purchased, and only recently 35,000 acres were bought from the Bend Timber company. These purchases alone insure a supply of timber for the proposed mill for more than 25 years.
It is estimated that more than $15,000,000 will be paid out here in that time to mill employes alone, and that the town will double in population within a year is predicted.” (The Glendale News)
September 1, 1915: "The Shevlin-Hixon Company now has under construction a saw mill at Bend of 80 million feet annual capacity. A box factory and a sash and door plant to be run in connection will manufacture about three fourths of the annual output. All departments will employ about 700 men. This and allied companies own nearly 200,000 acres of timber south of Bend." (The Bend Bulletin)
September 15, 1915: "At the Shevlin plant the trusses for the roof of the saw mill were erected on Monday and today the roof is being put up on the filing room above the mill. The boiler and engine room foundations are in and the work of putting in the brick footings for the boilers has begun, there being five brick layers at work today. More will be added soon.
The planer mill is to be begun this week and timbers for the box and the sash factories are on the road. The planer mill will be 99 x 112 feet in size and will be placed, according to present plans, on the northeast corner of the yard instead of the northwest as formerly stated. The two factories will run west from it.
At present there are about 150 men employed on the work." (The Bend Bulletin)
The planer mill is to be begun this week and timbers for the box and the sash factories are on the road. The planer mill will be 99 x 112 feet in size and will be placed, according to present plans, on the northeast corner of the yard instead of the northwest as formerly stated. The two factories will run west from it.
At present there are about 150 men employed on the work." (The Bend Bulletin)
April 26, 1916: "Two Hilke stackers, to be used at the Shevlin-Hixon plant for piling lumber arrived yesterday and will be put in operation within the next few days. The stackers are electrically operated and make possible the piling of lumber to about twice the height of the ordinary pile. Poles to carry current for the stackers have already been set between the alleys at the Shevlin-Hixon yard." (The Bend Bulletin)
April 28, 1916: “The Shevlin-Hixon mill at Bend, with a capacity of 300,000 feet on two ten hour shifts, although completed only three weeks ago, will increase the size of their plant one third.” (The Brownsville Times)
June 16, 1916: “The Shevlin-Hixon Co. at Bend have added a large box factory to their sawmill.” (The Brownsville Times)
September 15, 1916: “The payroll of the Shevlin-Hixon Company for the month of August amounted to $57,400, according to statements made last week. This amount is to be distributed among 710 employees. It is estimated that at least 290 more men will be added to the payroll when the plant is running to full capacity, making an estimated roll of $71,500 per month." (Silver Lake Leader)
May 11, 1917: “The Shevlin-Hixon lumber company of Bend has increased its capital from one to three million dollars for the expansion of its business.” (The Brownsville Times)
May 1, 1919: “His chest crushed by a log which fell from the top of a pile at Shevlin-Hixon camp No. 10, Jacob Nyback, 32, an employe of the company, died Thursday afternoon before the train on which he was being carried reached Bend. He is survived by a wife and two children.” (The Glendale News)
January 30, 1922: "Announcement is made by J. P. Hennesay, manager of the Shevlin-Hixon Company's plant here, That a second shift in the mill will mean the employment of at least 150 men in addition to those now employed, and more as soon as some of the lumber is dried and shipping is increased.
The sales force of the company has recently been increased, said Hennesay, and this is partly responsible for the increases in production planned.
Logging camp No. 2 has just been opened, in anticipation of the second shift in the mill, Hennesay stated." (The Evening Herald)
The sales force of the company has recently been increased, said Hennesay, and this is partly responsible for the increases in production planned.
Logging camp No. 2 has just been opened, in anticipation of the second shift in the mill, Hennesay stated." (The Evening Herald)
April 6, 1922: “A 20-ton locomotive crane of the latest type, manufactured by the American Hoist & Derrick company, arrived yesterday for the Shevlin-Hixon company.
This derrick has a lifting capacity of 20 tons, will be used at the camps of the company for the purpose of moving camp houses and lifting the heavy machinery that is used in the woods. The crane is self-propelling.---Bend Press.” (Silver Lake Leader and Lake County Tribune)
This derrick has a lifting capacity of 20 tons, will be used at the camps of the company for the purpose of moving camp houses and lifting the heavy machinery that is used in the woods. The crane is self-propelling.---Bend Press.” (Silver Lake Leader and Lake County Tribune)
April 20, 1922: “Looking forward to logging activities in the section east of La Pine, the Shevlin-Hixson company has obtained a permit for the appropriation of five second feet from Paulina creek at a point one and one-half miles from the Dalles-California highway, says the Portland Telegram: Development cost is given as $12,000. The logging pond considered will cover some eighty acres, and storage of approximately 10,000,000 feet of logs will be made possible. The development, which does not include plans for milling at that point, will be made in four or five years, states J. H. Meister, logging superintendent.” (Silver Lake Leader and Lake County Tribune)
August 10, 1922: “Construction of a new sawmill to form the third unit of its plant here will be begun by the Shevlin-Hixon company on September 1, it was announced this morning by General Manager J. P. Hennessy, says the Journal of August 4: The mill will be ready to commence operation on March 1, 1923, it is planned.
Placed just south of the present plant, the new unit will be of the same size as the two now in use, but its equipment will be different in that it will contain a gangsaw, the first to be used here, and one band. The mill will be electrically driven throughout.
Four million feet a month will be added to the present monthly output of the Shevlin-Hixon plant. It will mean an increase of 350 men above the number now employed and an increase of $35,000 a month in Bend's payroll. Forty men, mostly local artisans, will be employed in construction.
Plans for this unit had been made several years ahead of time, a third turbine having been added to the power plant in 1919; a burner, the largest on the coast, being built in 1920; five boilers being added last year, and 10 dry kilns being now under construction. An additional locomotive and skidding machine will be purchased and the planing equipment rearranged.
The total capacity of the plant will be 160,000,000 feet a year, allowing for winter reduction in cut.
The Shevlin-Hixon company began it operation here in 1915 with the building of the first mill unit. Sawing was commenced on March 23, 1916. In the fall of the same year the second unit was built.” (Silver Lake Leader and Lake County Tribune)
Placed just south of the present plant, the new unit will be of the same size as the two now in use, but its equipment will be different in that it will contain a gangsaw, the first to be used here, and one band. The mill will be electrically driven throughout.
Four million feet a month will be added to the present monthly output of the Shevlin-Hixon plant. It will mean an increase of 350 men above the number now employed and an increase of $35,000 a month in Bend's payroll. Forty men, mostly local artisans, will be employed in construction.
Plans for this unit had been made several years ahead of time, a third turbine having been added to the power plant in 1919; a burner, the largest on the coast, being built in 1920; five boilers being added last year, and 10 dry kilns being now under construction. An additional locomotive and skidding machine will be purchased and the planing equipment rearranged.
The total capacity of the plant will be 160,000,000 feet a year, allowing for winter reduction in cut.
The Shevlin-Hixon company began it operation here in 1915 with the building of the first mill unit. Sawing was commenced on March 23, 1916. In the fall of the same year the second unit was built.” (Silver Lake Leader and Lake County Tribune)
December 26, 1922: "Sawmill construction somewhat hindered by the cold weather of last week, is now under way at full speed at both the new Brooks-Scanlon mill and at the new unit for the Shevlin-Hixon company.
Installation of machinery for the new unit of the Shevlin-Hixon mill is proceeding rapidly at the same time that construction of the building is being completed." (The Evening Herald)
Installation of machinery for the new unit of the Shevlin-Hixon mill is proceeding rapidly at the same time that construction of the building is being completed." (The Evening Herald)
March 1, 1923: "The third unit of the Shevlin-Hixon company's plant at Bend started cutting March 1. The new unit contains a band saw and gang, the first to be used in pine milling east of the Cascades." (Halsey Enterprise)
February 14, 1924: “By following a policy of selective logging through a tract of pine timber bordering The Dalles-California highway on its new location from Lava Butte to a point nine miles south, the Shevlin-Hixon company will leave a scenic border of pines along the state road. Mature trees are being marked for logging, but other timber will remain untouched.” (The Drain Enterprise)
July 31, 1924: “Bend.---Production at nearly full capacity will be resumed at the Shevlin-Hixon company's sawmills here a week from Monday, it was announced here by General Manager J. P. Hennessy. The increase in production is being made with the view of filling the yards during good weather, it is explained.” (The Glendale News)
March 24, 1932: "Bend---Operations will be resumed at the Shevlin-Hixon mill here April 4." (The American)
December 11, 1942: "The Shevlin-Hixon Lumber company of Bend denied today a CIO International Woodworkers' charge that the company had not made an effort to reach capacity production.
General Manager C. L. Isted said everything possible was being done to overcome the labor shortage and that the company's 1942 production was above average.
In a resolution recently IWA local No. 7 charged that the company was operating only at two-thirds of capacity and the union said its members were 'willing and anxious' to work Saturdays and holidays." (Herald and News)
General Manager C. L. Isted said everything possible was being done to overcome the labor shortage and that the company's 1942 production was above average.
In a resolution recently IWA local No. 7 charged that the company was operating only at two-thirds of capacity and the union said its members were 'willing and anxious' to work Saturdays and holidays." (Herald and News)
December 23, 1950: "Shevlin-Hixon millmen today noon were preparing to run the final log through the sawmill, with the man who cut the first board just short of 35 years ago, J. N. Mahoney, prepared to slash boards from the last log.
It was on March 23, 1916, that the Shevlin-Hixon Company mill was placed in operation here, on a two-shift, 10-hour basis. Two nine foot band saws were in operation at that time, and the daily capacity was around 300,000 board feet. Sixty-five men were employed on the two shifts.
Present for the cutting of the final log today were to be a number of men who were on the job 35 years ago when the big pine plant was placed in operation.
The last log being moved through the mill today a little ahead of schedule. Originally it was planned to operate the mill until near the end of the coming week, and it was believed that sufficient logs had been felled to provide the needed timber. Logging operations in northern Klamath county, near Chemult, ended two weeks ago. Ideal weather, unfrozen ponds and mill efficiency were factors that 'ate up' the logs sooner than expected.
Word from the mill shortly before noon today indicated that there would be no special ceremony in connection with the milling of the final log, but that a considerable number of persons who saw the start of milling 35 years ago would be on hand.
Because of the Bulletin's early press time today, 1 p.m., it was impossible to hold the press for pictures and a final story.
Since the plant was placed in operation 35 years ago, it has been greatly enlarged, with new units added. It is recalled that when logging was started late in 1935, timber was hauled into the new mill from a stand about six miles southwest of town with one standard gauge Baldwin locomotive. The company at the time of its purchase by Brooks-Scanlon, Inc. had a fleet of six locomotives and 200 logging cars." (The Bend Bulletin)
It was on March 23, 1916, that the Shevlin-Hixon Company mill was placed in operation here, on a two-shift, 10-hour basis. Two nine foot band saws were in operation at that time, and the daily capacity was around 300,000 board feet. Sixty-five men were employed on the two shifts.
Present for the cutting of the final log today were to be a number of men who were on the job 35 years ago when the big pine plant was placed in operation.
The last log being moved through the mill today a little ahead of schedule. Originally it was planned to operate the mill until near the end of the coming week, and it was believed that sufficient logs had been felled to provide the needed timber. Logging operations in northern Klamath county, near Chemult, ended two weeks ago. Ideal weather, unfrozen ponds and mill efficiency were factors that 'ate up' the logs sooner than expected.
Word from the mill shortly before noon today indicated that there would be no special ceremony in connection with the milling of the final log, but that a considerable number of persons who saw the start of milling 35 years ago would be on hand.
Because of the Bulletin's early press time today, 1 p.m., it was impossible to hold the press for pictures and a final story.
Since the plant was placed in operation 35 years ago, it has been greatly enlarged, with new units added. It is recalled that when logging was started late in 1935, timber was hauled into the new mill from a stand about six miles southwest of town with one standard gauge Baldwin locomotive. The company at the time of its purchase by Brooks-Scanlon, Inc. had a fleet of six locomotives and 200 logging cars." (The Bend Bulletin)