American Lumberman reported in February 1905 that Santa Fe was constructing a new sawmill at Brookeland with a daily cutting capacity of 75,000 feet. The Santa Fe mill was not listed in the Reference Book of the Lumbermen's Credit Association, January 1907. The mill was producing timbers, lumber, and crossties. The Southern Industrial and Lumber Review in 1909 reported the mill had been operating on double shifts since January. A new set of boilers was being added.
Drayton Speights, life-long resident and lumberman of Sabine County, recalled to Vernon L. Beasley that the Santa Fe had built its line to Brookeland in 1902 and put in a mill at the town.
Some researchers believe that a Santa Fe mill at Brookeland is incorrect and that this mill may be a Garrison-Norton mill. However, American Lumberman noted in February 1906 that Santa Fe was acquiring mills on the towns of “its extension.” Santa Fe stated that it would name one of the new mill towns on the extension “Elizabeth” in honor of C. F. Park's heiress.