VILLAIR LUMBER COMPANY
Josephine County - 5 miles east of Cave Junction
March 31, 1938: "Last Thursday, March 24th, J. J. Villair purchased A. E. Anderson's interest in the Villair and Anderson mill located on the Caves highway. Mr. Villair took charge immediately and is now the sole owner.
The new name of the mill is the Villair Lumber company, which name has been filed with the county clerk.
Mr. Villair expects to start operations as soon as weather conditions permit and hopes for a good long season." (Illinois Valley News)
The new name of the mill is the Villair Lumber company, which name has been filed with the county clerk.
Mr. Villair expects to start operations as soon as weather conditions permit and hopes for a good long season." (Illinois Valley News)
May 5, 1938: "Last Wednesday was indeed good news for the Illinois Valley, for the Villair Lumber company started operation under the new management of J. J. Villair, formerly the Villair & Anderson Lumber company.
Men in the woods started out ahead of the mill men and when the whistle blew Wednesday morning, 50 men were on the pay roll of the new lumber company and more are expected to be added as the need arrives.
The Villair Lumber company is cutting sugar and Ponderosa pine lumber, and are starting out under the most favorable circumstances, as Mr. Villair has succeeded in selling almost every stick of lumber in the yard before the new cut is started. Perhaps the only lumber mill in the state that had a clean lumber yard when the year's work started.
Considerable construction work has been done already by Mr. Villair. Five miles of road has been constructed by a 'cat' off the Caves Highway to permit trucks to haul out logs. One 'cat' is doing logging duty and the other is still making roads passable for trucks to operate.
Mr. Villair has just purchased a fine 500 acre tract of pine timber and he expects to have it all cut and logged off before the season closes. The purchase of the new timber assures a good year's operation for the company." (Illinois Valley News)
Men in the woods started out ahead of the mill men and when the whistle blew Wednesday morning, 50 men were on the pay roll of the new lumber company and more are expected to be added as the need arrives.
The Villair Lumber company is cutting sugar and Ponderosa pine lumber, and are starting out under the most favorable circumstances, as Mr. Villair has succeeded in selling almost every stick of lumber in the yard before the new cut is started. Perhaps the only lumber mill in the state that had a clean lumber yard when the year's work started.
Considerable construction work has been done already by Mr. Villair. Five miles of road has been constructed by a 'cat' off the Caves Highway to permit trucks to haul out logs. One 'cat' is doing logging duty and the other is still making roads passable for trucks to operate.
Mr. Villair has just purchased a fine 500 acre tract of pine timber and he expects to have it all cut and logged off before the season closes. The purchase of the new timber assures a good year's operation for the company." (Illinois Valley News)
June 23, 1938: "George Thrasher cut his right arm while working for the Villairs Lumber company back of Holland today (Thursday.) Dr. Collman was called and took five stitches to close the wound. George was standing on a log, lost his balance and while trying to save his fall, fell on the axe cutting his arm. The axe was so sharp that he did not feel the cut immediately." (Illinois Valley News)
May 11, 1939: "In the spring of 1931 J. J. Villair and Archie E. Anderson entered into a partnership under the name of Villair & Anderson, for the purpose of sawing Ponderosa and Sugar pine lumber principally.
The average cut for the next six years was around five million feet of lumber per year, varying with market conditions and NRA limitations, but averaging that much lumber altogether. This timber was purchased from local owners and some outside people who had timber claims in this vicinity.
Good fortune attended these operations from the standpoint of few accidents, no major ones, and only one small fire at the mill. An average of sixty men are employed each season. The mill's operation was about five to six months, but the movement of lumber into Grants Pass for shipment and local box factory use runs well into the whole year.
In March of 1938 A. E. Anderson sold his interests to J. J. and Mabel R. Villair thus forming the D.B.A. Villair Lumber Co. and during the last season the mill cut some five million and one-half feet of lumber.
The present season of 1939 has been slow in opening up and the mill is late in starting to saw. However, with timber purchases up Althouse creek it looks like the usual amount of timber will be cut during the summer. The company operates its own logging operations, as well as sawmill plant." (Illinois Valley News)
The average cut for the next six years was around five million feet of lumber per year, varying with market conditions and NRA limitations, but averaging that much lumber altogether. This timber was purchased from local owners and some outside people who had timber claims in this vicinity.
Good fortune attended these operations from the standpoint of few accidents, no major ones, and only one small fire at the mill. An average of sixty men are employed each season. The mill's operation was about five to six months, but the movement of lumber into Grants Pass for shipment and local box factory use runs well into the whole year.
In March of 1938 A. E. Anderson sold his interests to J. J. and Mabel R. Villair thus forming the D.B.A. Villair Lumber Co. and during the last season the mill cut some five million and one-half feet of lumber.
The present season of 1939 has been slow in opening up and the mill is late in starting to saw. However, with timber purchases up Althouse creek it looks like the usual amount of timber will be cut during the summer. The company operates its own logging operations, as well as sawmill plant." (Illinois Valley News)
June 22, 1939: "The Villair Lumber company is finding some very large trees where they are cutting. This week one was brought to the mill which had 3250 board feet of white pine." (Illinois Valley News)
October 5, 1939: "Sheriff S. Donley Barnes reported Tuesday that he is investigating the theft of at least 50 gallons of gasoline and five gallons of oil from Villair Mill, located six miles east of Cave Junction on the Oregon Caves highway.
Jack Villair, the proprietor, reported Sunday morning that someone had broken into his oil storeroom during the previous night by prying boards off a door." (Illinois Valley News)
Jack Villair, the proprietor, reported Sunday morning that someone had broken into his oil storeroom during the previous night by prying boards off a door." (Illinois Valley News)
April 4, 1940: "J. J. Villair has several men at work repairing and putting the big mill in first class condition for the opening and resuming of sawing timber. If the weather had not been so bad the mill would have been operating by this time, but the heavy rains prevented logging operations from the hills.
This morning, (Thursday) a crew of men went into the hills cutting logs and two new trucks have been added to the fleet, so there will be a continuous stream of logs coming into the yard when the mill whistle blows for starting operations, also a new 'Cat' has been added to the road equipment and roads will be built to the timber cutting.
The mill proper will start about the 15th of this month, but the logging crew started today. About the same crew of men employed last year will report for work again, and this means about 55 men will be on the pay roll of the Villair mill.
On account of the world conditions in general and the increased demand for lumber and its allied products, it is expected that the local mill this year will have an exceedingly long run." (Illinois Valley News)
This morning, (Thursday) a crew of men went into the hills cutting logs and two new trucks have been added to the fleet, so there will be a continuous stream of logs coming into the yard when the mill whistle blows for starting operations, also a new 'Cat' has been added to the road equipment and roads will be built to the timber cutting.
The mill proper will start about the 15th of this month, but the logging crew started today. About the same crew of men employed last year will report for work again, and this means about 55 men will be on the pay roll of the Villair mill.
On account of the world conditions in general and the increased demand for lumber and its allied products, it is expected that the local mill this year will have an exceedingly long run." (Illinois Valley News)
May 9, 1940: "Villair logging trucks are bringing logs into the mill where they will be processed into various types of lumber, part of from five to six million board feet milled at this plant every season. The truck is a necessary item in the lumber industry in this section of the state where trains, river and canals are lacking for timber operations." (Illinois Valley News)
May 9, 1940: "Built in 1931, the Villair & Anderson mill was destined to become one of the outstanding industrial enterprises in this section. Located on the Caves highway about five miles from the Junction, the mill utilizes local timber and supplies lumber products of many types both for shipment and local use.
The mill, which is now operated by J. J. and M. R. Villair as the Villair Lumber company, has a capacity of 45,000 feet in an eight hour shift. When both mill and logging crews are operating, the company gives employment to more than 60 men. A full season's run will amount to 5,000,000 or 6,000,000 feet depending on weather conditions.
Several additions have been made this year to the automotive equipment operated by the company. These include three new Ford trucks with Mercury engines and an RD 7 Caterpillar. They also have a second tractor, one of them being equipped with a bulldozer, Le Torneau, for logging operations. They have two other trucks for lumber handling and one for general use.
The present outlook for timber is much better than for some time past, according to to the owners of the mill. They are now getting out a superior quality of sugar pine and ponderosa pine. Quite a lot of white cedar is also being cut this year. In addition to this they are handling some incense cedar pencil stock and some red cedar. Just enough fir is run each year to supply local demands for mining and farm use.
If timber supplies are adequate, it is likely that other improvements will be made in the future. These would probably include the installation of a planing mill and dipping vat." (Illinois Valley News)
The mill, which is now operated by J. J. and M. R. Villair as the Villair Lumber company, has a capacity of 45,000 feet in an eight hour shift. When both mill and logging crews are operating, the company gives employment to more than 60 men. A full season's run will amount to 5,000,000 or 6,000,000 feet depending on weather conditions.
Several additions have been made this year to the automotive equipment operated by the company. These include three new Ford trucks with Mercury engines and an RD 7 Caterpillar. They also have a second tractor, one of them being equipped with a bulldozer, Le Torneau, for logging operations. They have two other trucks for lumber handling and one for general use.
The present outlook for timber is much better than for some time past, according to to the owners of the mill. They are now getting out a superior quality of sugar pine and ponderosa pine. Quite a lot of white cedar is also being cut this year. In addition to this they are handling some incense cedar pencil stock and some red cedar. Just enough fir is run each year to supply local demands for mining and farm use.
If timber supplies are adequate, it is likely that other improvements will be made in the future. These would probably include the installation of a planing mill and dipping vat." (Illinois Valley News)
August 15, 1940: "On account of a shortage of water, the Villair Lumber company was compelled to shut down today (Thursday) for the rest of the season.
The mill cut this year over four million feet of lumber. This is a million and a half more than they cut last year.
Mr. Villair said operations next year depended on his ability to secure timber from the government, as all the individual holdings were about cut out." (Illinois Valley News)
The mill cut this year over four million feet of lumber. This is a million and a half more than they cut last year.
Mr. Villair said operations next year depended on his ability to secure timber from the government, as all the individual holdings were about cut out." (Illinois Valley News)
July 9, 1942: "Last Tuesday, E. F. Vahrenwald had the misfortune to break his left leg at the ankle while working on the roll-way at the Villair sawmill." (Illinois Valley News)
February 11, 1943: "J. J. Villair started his lumber mill operating Wednesday morning and expects to have a long season this year. He is short of men and had to start with only 25 men at the mill, but later there will be 30 men working and six trucks will be in operation hauling the product to Grants Pass.
During the vacation of the mill, Mr. Villair was busy improving the mill. They built a new green chain, a new conveyor and constructed a new log deck. Also a new foundation was put in on the mill proper.
It was expected that the mill would start operating last Monday, but the snow flurry postponed the start until Wednesday. Any lumber hands looking for a good job should see Mr. Villair at once, as he needs more men.
In the woods, the company employs 30 men and several trucks hauling to the mill. This number will be increased when necessary. All told the mill will employ over 70 men during the busy season.
The Villair mill cuts approximately 50,000 feet of lumber a shift, mostly fir now, later some sugar and Ponderosa pine will be cut this year, but rge mill will handle mostly fir during the rush orders for the government." (Illinois Valley News)
During the vacation of the mill, Mr. Villair was busy improving the mill. They built a new green chain, a new conveyor and constructed a new log deck. Also a new foundation was put in on the mill proper.
It was expected that the mill would start operating last Monday, but the snow flurry postponed the start until Wednesday. Any lumber hands looking for a good job should see Mr. Villair at once, as he needs more men.
In the woods, the company employs 30 men and several trucks hauling to the mill. This number will be increased when necessary. All told the mill will employ over 70 men during the busy season.
The Villair mill cuts approximately 50,000 feet of lumber a shift, mostly fir now, later some sugar and Ponderosa pine will be cut this year, but rge mill will handle mostly fir during the rush orders for the government." (Illinois Valley News)
May 6, 1943: "The Villair mill on the Caves highway has for several weeks, been going on as usual. This mill is the old standby for production and can always be banked on to give employment to many men." (Illinois Valley News)
May 18, 1944: "Carl Theurkauf, Roland Tresham and Luther Sherier drove back three now 5-ton GMC trucks from Portland last week for the Villair Lumber Co. Carl and Roland had to go to Portland for their physical examination last week and when coming home helped drive the new trucks. The trucks will be used for hauling logs." (Illinois Valley News)
June 1, 1944: "Villair Lumber company feel that their crew at the mill, the Forest Service fire truck men, the Cave Junction Volunteer Fire department, the State Fire truck men and the local community volunteers deserve a world of praise and credit for the efficient work accomplished in quelling a fire that started in a lumber pile in the yard of the mill on Monday afternoon around 4 o'clock.
Nine piles of upper grade sugar pine estimated at 100,000 feet were destroyed by fire and these piles were located in the center of the lumber yard, while the remainder of the piles were saved, which is truly marvelous with a high wind blowing at the time.
Burning lumber piles make the hottest kind of fire and the men worked under great hardships in combating the flames.
The fire trucks all arrived within 10 minutes of being notified of the fire and that is what saved the remaining piles of lumber in the yard. Some very heroic measures were taken by employes of the mill in holding the hose on piles of lumber in an alleyway the men being covered with a blanket they kept soaked in water and taking turns under great heat with flames blowing over them and on down the lumber pile row but this very action kept the fire from spreading in the direction the wind was blowing and taking the whole lumber yard.
The scorched sides of remaining lumber piles attest to the great heat the men worked under and it still seems a miracle the yard was saved. The company cannot express sufficiently its great appreciation for the volunteer effort made on the part of everyone who came to help." (Illinois Valley News)
Nine piles of upper grade sugar pine estimated at 100,000 feet were destroyed by fire and these piles were located in the center of the lumber yard, while the remainder of the piles were saved, which is truly marvelous with a high wind blowing at the time.
Burning lumber piles make the hottest kind of fire and the men worked under great hardships in combating the flames.
The fire trucks all arrived within 10 minutes of being notified of the fire and that is what saved the remaining piles of lumber in the yard. Some very heroic measures were taken by employes of the mill in holding the hose on piles of lumber in an alleyway the men being covered with a blanket they kept soaked in water and taking turns under great heat with flames blowing over them and on down the lumber pile row but this very action kept the fire from spreading in the direction the wind was blowing and taking the whole lumber yard.
The scorched sides of remaining lumber piles attest to the great heat the men worked under and it still seems a miracle the yard was saved. The company cannot express sufficiently its great appreciation for the volunteer effort made on the part of everyone who came to help." (Illinois Valley News)
October 19, 1944: "One of the homes that the Villair Lumber company furnishes for the men who work at the mill, and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Leo King and five children, was destroyed by fire last Sunday about 11:30 a.m.
The residence was located at the rear of the John Dow home on the Caves highway.
Mr. and Mrs. King and children had gone to Grants Pass to go on a picnic with Mrs. King's mother and family, and all the fires in the stoves were out when they left. The house had just been completely re-wired and what could have caused the fire is still a mystery." (Illinois Valley News)
The residence was located at the rear of the John Dow home on the Caves highway.
Mr. and Mrs. King and children had gone to Grants Pass to go on a picnic with Mrs. King's mother and family, and all the fires in the stoves were out when they left. The house had just been completely re-wired and what could have caused the fire is still a mystery." (Illinois Valley News)
January 11, 1945: "Announcement was made this week that the Villair Lumber company has sold the mill and logging equipment to a group of lumber men from Roseburg and Eugene, represented by John Nylund of Roseburg. The purchase price was not made public. The sale includes the mill and logging equipment, the Villair Lumber Co. retaining all the timber holdings.
The new owners took immediate possession of the mill and will operate under the name of the Cave Junction Lumber Company, with Mr. Nylund in charge.
Mr. and Mrs. Villair did not sell their home or other property interests in the valley and will continue to reside here.
The Villair mill is one of the largest and best mills in the county. It was started here 14 years ago by J. J. Villair. Mr. Villair has extensive timber holdings in this vicinity which he will manage in the future.
It was not learned when the new owners will start the mill, but Mr. Villair has had a crew working for several days repairing and putting the mill in top shape for this summer's operations." (Illinois Valley News)
The new owners took immediate possession of the mill and will operate under the name of the Cave Junction Lumber Company, with Mr. Nylund in charge.
Mr. and Mrs. Villair did not sell their home or other property interests in the valley and will continue to reside here.
The Villair mill is one of the largest and best mills in the county. It was started here 14 years ago by J. J. Villair. Mr. Villair has extensive timber holdings in this vicinity which he will manage in the future.
It was not learned when the new owners will start the mill, but Mr. Villair has had a crew working for several days repairing and putting the mill in top shape for this summer's operations." (Illinois Valley News)