| History: | This sawmill site was, according to the Handbook of Texas, built by the Harrell-Votaw Lumber Company in 1907. If so, then R. W. Wier Lumber Company, headquartered in Houston, had it by 1908. Another alternative beginning is that Wier may have bought this plant from The Texas and Louisiana Lumber Company of Houston (organized in 1902) with R.W. Wier as one of the four owners. He left Texas & Louisiana Lumber shortly thereafter. That milling plant was the only other one documented as being in the area shortly prior to the R. W. Wier plant at Texla.
R. W. Wier employed about 200 men. Timber was supplied by a logging-only railroad. According to the 1909 county tax assessor's roll, the tram road was four and a half miles long and valued at $4,500.
he plant and town received a new lighting system in September 1908.
Wier sold it to Miller-Link in 1918. It burned sometime later that year and was being rebuilt in December that year with a capacity to install another headrig if necessary. Acquired by Peavy-Moore in 1920, the mill was operated until the end of 1928. The company announced, according to The Gulf Coast Lumberman, that the mill would close forever by the middle of December, 1928.
Keeling: The firm of Miller-Link Lumber Company operated a tram road from its mill at Texla, using five geared and one rod locomotive. |