The Largest Lumber Mill on the Sound
Pittsburgh entrepreneurs break ground on a massive steam-powered mill near Olympia, promising to slash construction costs in the Territory.
Messrs. A. J. & M. P. Miller, who have recently arrived amongst us from Pittsburgh, Pa., have undertaken the erection of a steam-mill at North Olympia, about two miles from the present seat of government, which is intended to be the largest lumbering establishment on the Sound. They have made arrangements for the procurement of two engines of 80 horse-power each, which are expected to be brought for them on the 'Tarquina' on her next trip here, to run a gang of twenty-six saws and also machinery to plane and groove their lumber. This, we are informed, will make a saving in the erection of buildings of one-half the present cost. The saws are capable of manufacturing thirty thousand feet of lumber every 24 hours. It is an enterprise which, if successfully consummated, will prove of more value to this portion of the Territory than all the fabled gold diggings which have yet been discovered; and we understand it is contemplated that actual sawing operations will be commenced in about three months.
“It is an enterprise which, if successfully consummated, will prove of more value to this portion of the Territory, than all the fabled gold diggings which have yet been discovered.”
This 1854 report captures the moment Olympia pivoted from a frontier outpost to a resource-extraction hub. The 'North Olympia' mill would eventually be superseded by massive industrial complexes that shaped the modern geography of the harbor.
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