Early Lockridge Saw Mills

HERRON, BATES, CARTER, MCGREGOR, KETCHUM, TALLMAN, SASSEEN

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 5/14/2006 at 18:41:20

Lockridge Times
January 13, 1938

Early Lockridge Saw Mills
Eighth Grade American History
By Roger Boos

The first sawmill around or near Lockridge was located on Brush Creek and owned by David Herron. Seven mills have been located near Lockridge, six were sawmills and one was a flour mill. As far as is known Herron's was the first. Mr. Wm. Bankhead and Mr. Fred Graff told us about them. Mr. Herron operated his mill for a long time. He built it about 1860. It was located on Brush Creek, southwest of the bridge, below Allender. David Herron and his son worked together there until his son left for the Civil War.

Our second saw mill was also located on Brush Creek, one mile from Herron's mill. This one was located just below Hildebrand's pasture, just about even with the old road, just before you turned. William Bates, the owner of this mill kept it in operation for many years.

In the rebuilt gym. The band and located away from Creeks on the Lockridge Pond. The owner of the first two built was Mark Carter. He was one of the men who did

The next two saw mills were both who brought logs. The second mill located on the pond was owned by John McGregor, grandfather of James and Raymond, two of our school mates. Mr. McGregor also did work custom sawing or sawing for anyone the southeast corner of the pond behind Allerdice's and McGregor's father west about the center of the pond.

The next two mills were owned by Ketchums and were away from creeks or ponds, but near ditches and wells where water could be secured for the boilers of the steam engines which were used. One was located in Sasseen's pasture and the other in Mr. Tallman's hay field. The former one had one well while the one in Tallman's pasture had two so in case one went dry they could use the other.

Thanks to these men who played an important part in the early development of our community. Few mills are operated now and as our big timber disappears the saw mills will gradually become a thing of the past.

[Transcriber note: This article was transcribed as it was printed in the newspaper. Paragraph three was incomplete and confusing]