| Alpha-Numeric Key: | CK-279 |
| Corporate Name: | O. L. Payne Lumber Company |
| Local Name: | |
| Owner Name: | O. L. Payne Lumber Company; also known as Payne Brothers. |
| Location: | Four miles north of Wells on Highway 69 |
| County: | Cherokee |
| Years in Operation: | 12 years |
| Start Year: | 1946 |
| End Year: | 1957 |
| Decades: | 1940-1949,1950-1959 |
| Period of Operation: | 1946 to 1957 |
| Town: | Wells |
| Company Town: | 1 |
| Peak Town Size: | Unknown |
| Mill Pond: |  |
| Type of Mill: | Hardwood and pine lumber
 Sawmill |
Pine Sawmill |
Hardwood Sawmill |
 Cypress Sawmill |
| Planer |
Planer Only |
Shingle |
Paper |
| Plywood |
Cotton |
Grist |
Unknown |
| Other |
|
|
|
|
| Power Source: | Steam-powered carriage, electrical machinery
| Horse |
Mule |
Oxen |
Water |
| Water Overshot |
Water Turbine |
Diesel |
Unknown |
| Pit |
Steam |
Steam Circular |
Steam Band |
| Gas |
Electricity |
Other |
|
|
| Maximum Capacity: | |
| Capacity Comments: | Unknown |
| Produced: |
| Rough Lumber |
Planed Lumber |
Crossties |
Timbers |
| Lathe |
Ceiling |
Unknown |
Beading |
| Flooring |
Paper |
Plywood |
Particle Board |
| Treated |
Other |
| |
|
| Equipment: | Circular sawmill |
| Company Tram: | |
| Associated Railroads: | Unknown |
| Historicial Development: | Four miles north of Wells, the O. L. Payne Lumber Company (sometimes known as Payne Brothers) was the largest mill in Cherokee County for its time. At first steam-powered, the mill operations were converted to electricity. The local electric co-operative supplied the mill with heavy-duty, three-phase power.
In order to keep its status as a large lumber wholesaler, Payne Lumber purchased timber on former pineries of the Chronister Lumber Company. The company maintained vats for cleaning, not storing, its logs.
Payne Brothers came from Louisiana and operated its own mill town with commissary and tenant houses. Product was shipped out.
|
| Research Date: | MCJ 01-30-96 |
| Prepared By: | M. Johnson |