| Alpha-Numeric Key: | SH-242 |
| Corporate Name: | Thomas J. Todd |
| Local Name: | |
| Owner Name: | Thomas J. Todd |
| Location: | Todd's Switch, west of Buena Vista and two miles from Sapp's Store |
| County: | Shelby |
| Years in Operation: | 27 years |
| Start Year: | 1869 |
| End Year: | 1895 |
| Decades: | 1860-1869,1870-1879,1880-1889,1890-1899 |
| Period of Operation: | 1869 to 1895 |
| Town: | Todd's Switch |
| Company Town: | 2 |
| Peak Town Size: | Unknown |
| Mill Pond: |  |
| Type of Mill: | Lumber and grain
 Sawmill |
 Pine Sawmill |
Hardwood Sawmill |
Cypress Sawmill |
| Planer |
Planer Only |
Shingle |
Paper |
| Plywood |
Cotton |
Grist |
Unknown |
| Other |
|
|
|
|
| Power Source: | 20-horsepower steam engine
| Horse |
Mule |
Oxen |
Water |
| Water Overshot |
Water Turbine |
Diesel |
Unknown |
| Pit |
Steam |
Steam Circular |
Steam Band |
| Gas |
Electricity |
Other |
|
|
| Maximum Capacity: | 18000: 1893 |
| Capacity Comments: | 300,000 feet of lumber during the reporting period of the Census and 18,000 feet daily in 1893 |
| Produced: |
| Rough Lumber |
Planed Lumber |
Crossties |
Timbers |
| Lathe |
Ceiling |
Unknown |
Beading |
| Flooring |
Paper |
Plywood |
Particle Board |
| Treated |
Other |
| |
|
| Equipment: | Sawmill and grist mill with three sash saws |
| Company Tram: | |
| Associated Railroads: | Houston East & West |
| Historicial Development: | Todd operated a sawmill and grist steam mill (valued at $2,800) in Shelby County according to the 1870 Census. He employed six men for nine months at the saw mill and for three months at the grist mill for a total wage of $1,200. With $1,250 in raw logs and 4,800 bushels of corn at a total value of $4,800, the mill produced 300,000 feet of lumber worth $3,000 and cornmeal worth $5,280.
He advertised in The Laborers Champion issue of November 29, 1877, that he could fill orders “double quick” at his steam gin and saw and grist mill, located west of Buena Vista. The mill was not enumerated in the Census of 1880.
By 1893, it was cutting 18,000 feet daily.
In 1895, it was mortgaged to Garrison, Avery, & Co.
On January 25, 1895, T J Todd mortgaged to Garrison Avery & Co “all the lumber at my mill or that may be sawed by me.” |
| Research Date: | MCJ 03-02-96 |
| Prepared By: | M. Johnson |