Research: Sawmill Database

Alpha-Numeric Key: CK-290
Corporate Name: Penitentiary Commission, State of Texas
Local Name:
Owner Name: Penitentiary Commission, State of Texas
Location: Butterfield
County: Cherokee
Years in Operation: 1 year
Start Year: 1890
End Year: 1890
Decades: 1890-1899
Period of Operation: 1890s
Town: Butterfield
Company Town: 2
Peak Town Size: Unknown
Mill Pond:
Type of Mill: Charcoal
Sawmill Pine Sawmill Hardwood Sawmill Cypress Sawmill
Planer Planer Only Shingle Paper
Plywood Cotton Grist Unknown
Other
Power Source: Unknown
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: Possibly a circular sawmill
Company Tram:
Associated Railroads: Unknown
Historicial Development: The Penitentiary Commission, State of Texas, ran a series of “coaling camps” in which prisoners from the state penitentiary system worked in the making of charcoal from hardwoods for the state iron foundry. One of these camps was located at or near Butterfield. Now a ghost town, Butterfield was located between Forest and Rusk on the Jim Hogg Highway.
Research Date: MCJ 01-30-96
Prepared By: M. Johnson