Dr. H. J. Avinger, one of the earlier founders of the town that bears his name, bought James Anders entire survey of 640 acres and built a small sawmill on it. The operation would continue to grow for almost three decades. Avinger built the depot for the new East Line & Red River Railroad from Jefferson, in Marion County.
The sawmill operated for ten months during the census year ending May 31, 1880. It was valued at $2,000 and Avinger paid from $0.90 to $1.50 per day in wages to ten men. The normal workforce of six men worked ten-hour shifts and were paid a total of $1,200. Avinger did his own logging in the neighborhood. The sawmill produced 800,000 board feet valued at $8,000 from $5,000 worth of sawlogs and supplies.
His mill was listed in an 1884 railroad directory.