Pentwater in Oceana County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Lumber Industry
Historic Village of Pentwater
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 3, 2017
1. The Lumber Industry Marker
If you stood on this spot in 1866 you would have been in the midst of a bustling lumber town, boasting three sawmills, two shingle mills, one barrel-stave mill, a planing mill, and one foundry. Tall stacks of drying lumber covered all available ground, while rafts of logs were clustered along the shore. Sawdust-paved streets were choked with the stumps of recently felled pine trees.
By 1905, fire having destroyed the mills, and with the gradual depletion of the area forest, only the Sands and Maxwell sawmill and the Halsted Table Factory remained of the lumber-related industries. After completing their sawing in 1905, the Sands and Maxwell sawmill was closed, and in the spring of 1913 was torn down, ending the lumber era in Pentwater.
Erected by Pentwater Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.
Location. 43° 46.646′ N, 86° 25.964′ W. Marker is in Pentwater, Michigan, in Oceana County. Marker is on South Hancock Street (Business U.S. 31) north of Fifth Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 478 South Hancock Street, Pentwater MI 49449, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Graveyard of Ships / Veterans' Day Storm (within
this page online
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 3, 2017
2. Left Images Captions
Left: This mill, Pentwater's largest, was destroyed by fire in October 1884.
Middle: Sands and Maxwell Sawmill
Right: Chapman shingle mill crew
Middle: Sands and Maxwell Sawmill
Right: Chapman shingle mill crew
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 3, 2017
3. Middle Images Captions
Left: Lumber schooner Hattie Hutt - Built in Saugatuck 1893
Right: Plat C of Pentwater 1895
Right: Plat C of Pentwater 1895
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 3, 2017
4. Right Images Captions
Upper: Sands and Maxwell Mill in 1898, while lumber piles outside of mill were on fire.
Lower: Bedstead Factory and steamer E.G. Maxwell.
Lower: Bedstead Factory and steamer E.G. Maxwell.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 3, 2017
5. The Lumber Industry Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2017. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 286 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 17, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
