Research: Sawmill Database

Alpha-Numeric Key: HO-100
Corporate Name: M. D. Murchison & Sons
Local Name:
Owner Name: M. D. Murchison & Sons, also known as Murchison Lumber Company
Location: Grapeland, about ten miles north of Crockett
County: Houston
Years in Operation: 23 years
Start Year: 1930
End Year: 1952
Decades: 1930-1939,1940-1949,1950-1959
Period of Operation: 1930 to 1952
Town: Grapeland
Company Town: 2
Peak Town Size: 750 in 1905; 3,000 in 1928; 1027 in 1934
Mill Pond:
Type of Mill: Lumber and retail lumber
Sawmill Pine Sawmill Hardwood Sawmill Cypress Sawmill
Planer Planer Only Shingle Paper
Plywood Cotton Grist Unknown
Other
Power Source: Probably steam
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: Sawmill
Company Tram:
Associated Railroads: International & Great Northern (Missouri Pacific)
Historicial Development: M. D. Murchison & Sons operated a sawmill service and a lumber retail business at Grapeland from 1930 to 1952. The Directory of Texas Manufacturers referred to this firm as Murchison Lumber Company in its directories from 1936 to 1952. Block notes that this business operated a mill producing yellow pine products.
Research Date: MCJ 02-20-96
Prepared By: M. Johnson