Dry Kilns, Old & New
Informational Trail Sign
The DRY KILNS were necessary to transform the lumber from its green (or wet) condition into a low-moisture-content product for sales and economical transport. The kilns enabled the management of controlled conditions of heat and stream to remove the excess moisture and produce quality, straight lumber.
The OLD KILN along the sawmill side of the trail system is one of the few structures existing since the 20's, and is the single, very old reference point in the immediate area, against which other changes can be compared and documented.
In the OLD KILN, pine lumber was dried to the desired moisture content in less than 72 hours. It had a capacity of 300,000 board feet; that is about 35 truckloads of finished lumber could be dried every 72 hours. Lumber was conditioned on the upper level as an updraft of steam from below.
The NEW KILN which is along the kiln loop, and had about the same capacity, with the steaming process being the opposite, with the flow from above to the lumber below. It was not quite as efficient as the older unit, thus requiring a longer drying period.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.
Location. 31° 0.212′ N, 92° 33.469′ W. Marker is in Long Leaf, Louisiana, in Rapides
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Regionally, this marker is in Central Louisiana and in Acadiana Cajun Country. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lumber Transfer (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); "Loggers Dream" (about 400 feet away); "Jitney" (about 400 feet away); Straddle Truck (about 500 feet away); Long Leaf Sawmill (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Long Leaf Sawmill (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Long Leaf Sawmill (about 700 feet away); The Commissary (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Long Leaf.
More about this marker. Located on the grounds of the Southern Forest Heritage Museum, Admission required.
Also see . . . Southern Forest Heritage Museum. Website homepage (Submitted on May 28, 2019, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 28, 2019, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 352 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 28, 2019.
