Research: Sawmill Database

Alpha-Numeric Key: LI-77
Corporate Name: R. O. W. McManus
Local Name:
Owner Name: R.O.W. McManus
Location: Moss Bluff, five miles from the mouth of the Trinity River
County: Liberty
Years in Operation: 2 years
Start Year: 1859
End Year: 1860
Decades: 1850-1859,1860-1869
Period of Operation: 1859 to 1860
Town: Moss Bluff
Company Town: 2
Peak Town Size: Unknown
Mill Pond:
Type of Mill: Lumber
Sawmill Pine Sawmill Hardwood Sawmill Cypress Sawmill
Planer Planer Only Shingle Paper
Plywood Cotton Grist Unknown
Other
Power Source: Steam
Horse Mule Oxen Water
Water Overshot Water Turbine Diesel Unknown
Pit Steam Steam Circular Steam Band
Gas Electricity Other
Maximum Capacity: 
Capacity Comments: 50,000 feet for the reporting period of the Census.
Produced:
Rough Lumber Planed Lumber Crossties Timbers
Lathe Ceiling Unknown Beading
Flooring Paper Plywood Particle Board
Treated Other
Equipment: Sash sawmill
Company Tram:
Associated Railroads: None
Historicial Development: A record of the R.O.W. McManus mill was found in the 1860 special census of Liberty County by W.T. Block of Nederland. According to the Census, the mill was steam powered and employed four workers during the census year 1860. The mill cut 50,000 feet of lumber worth $1,200 from $75.00 worth of sawlogs. McManus paid $75.00 monthly in wages. The d capital value was $3,000. Webb, in the Handbook of Texas, recorded that Moss Bluff was settled before the Revolution and that it had both sawmills and gristmills by 1840. After the Civil War, the economy shifted to rice and cotton. This mill is usually linked in discussion with that of Dr. Gillard.
Research Date: JKG 12-14-93, MCJ 03-14-96
Prepared By: J Gerland, M Johnson