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Frank Powell (HO-37)

sawmill id: 10775
alpha-numeric key: HO-37
corporate name: Frank Powell
local name:
owner affiliation: Frank Powell
location: Enumeration District 22
county: Houston
years in operation: 2
start year: 1879
(qual) *
end year: 1880
(qual) *
decades: 1870-18791880-1889
period of operation: 1879 to 1880
town: Enumeration District 22
company town: ?
peak town size: Unknown
mill pond: ?
type of mill: Lumber and shingles
sawmill: Yes
pine sawmill:
hardwood sawmill:
cypress sawmill:
planer:
planer only:
shingle: Yes
paper:
plywood:
cotton:
grist:
unknown:
other:
power source: 20-horsepower steam engine
horse:
mule:
oxen:
water:
water overshot:
water turbine:
pit:
steam: Yes
steam circular:
steam band:
gas:
diesel:
electric:
other:
unknown:
maximum capacity:
(qual)
capacity comments: 600,000 feet of lumber and 1,500,000 shingles during the reporting period of the Census
rough lumber: Yes
planed lumber:
crossties:
timbers:
lathe:
ceiling:
unknown:
beading:
flooring:
paper:
plywood:
particle board:
treated:
other: Yes
equipment: Sawmill and shingle mill
company tram: No
associated railroads: International & Great Northern at Crockett
historical development: Frank Powell operated a sawmill in Houston County during the enumeration period of the Census of 1880. The mill was capitalized at $4,000. Work required eight male employees, three of whom were children under the age of sixteen. Powell paid his workers seventy-five cents per each eight-hour day in the winter and ten-hour day in the summer, spending $1000 total in wages during the twelve months of mill operations. The power plant consisted of a twenty-five horsepower steam engine with a boiler. Cutting equipment included a circular saw and two shingle band saws. From raw materials and mill supplies worth $3,300, Powell?s mill produced 600,000 feet of lumber and 1,500,00 for a gross value of $6000. Powell did his own logging near the mill.
research date: MCJ 02-20-96
research by: M. Johnson
historical interpretation:
interpretation by:
interpretation date:
bibliography: Census of 1880. Houston County, Texas. Special Schedules Nos. 5 and 6--Lumber Mills and Sawmills. Microfilm Records, East Texas Research Center, Stephen F. Austin State University. Nacogdoches, Texas.


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