McShane Lumber Company tramroad
John A. McShane of Omaha, Nebraska, purchased large tracts of virgin timber in northwest Hardin County and began building a sawmill there late in 1903 to supply his retail lumber yards. The mill began regular operations in April the following year, and at various times the mill’s capacity was reported between 85,000 and 125,000 feet per day. The mill’s stumpage estimate in 1905 was fifteen years.
McShane operated a two-mile company tram road from Dearborn to its logging camp. By 1906, the Company had extended the tram another six miles, and added a 20-ton Baldwin locomotive to its rolling stock. McShane Lumber operated a tram of eight miles of road, two locomotives (including the Baldwin), and twenty-two tram cars. The American Lumberman reported, in 1906, however, the company was running three logging locomotive along seventeen miles of tram road.
It is believed the mill was cut out around 1918, dismantled, and moved to Louisiana.
Code
47
Corporate Name:
Corporate Name:
Folk Name:
Incorporated:
Ownership:
McShane Lumber Company
Years of Operation:
ca. 1904- ca. 1918
Track Type:
Track Type:
Track Length:
Fourteen
Locations Served:
Dearborn Hardin
Counties of Operation:
Hardin
Line Connections:
Line Connections:
Track Information:
Track Information:
Equipment:
Keeling: fourteen miles of tram road
History:
John A. McShane of Omaha, Nebraska, purchased large tracts of virgin timber in northwest Hardin County and began building a sawmill there late in 1903 to supply his retail lumber yards. The mill began regular operations in April the following year, and at various times the mill’s capacity was reported between 85,000 and 125,000 feet per day. The mill’s stumpage estimate in 1905 was fifteen years.
McShane operated a two-mile company tram road from Dearborn to its logging camp. By 1906, the Company had extended the tram another six miles, and added a 20-ton Baldwin locomotive to its rolling stock. McShane Lumber operated a tram of eight miles of road, two locomotives (including the Baldwin), and twenty-two tram cars. The American Lumberman reported, in 1906, however, the company was running three logging locomotive along seventeen miles of tram road.
It is believed the mill was cut out around 1918, dismantled, and moved to Louisiana.