R.M. Keith, agent for Central Coal & Coke Company in Kansas City, Missouri, began purchasing the virgin pine timberlands of this region in October 1899. Lumber for construction of a new mill was cut by a small sawmill purchased from local landowner . . . — — Map (db m29527) HM
About 1875, a 32 - wagon train of settlers came here from Georgia. Jesse H. Ratcliff (1844 - 1920) built sawmill about 1885, drawing more people. Post office opened 1889, with Ratcliff as postmaster, and town soon had several stores. Professional . . . — — Map (db m26980) HM
J.H. Ratcliff's 1880s sawmill and village here gave way to major timber industry operations that by the early 1930s had decimated Houston County's densest virgin forest. As part of federal efforts to restore the nation's natural resources, Civilian . . . — — Map (db m29454) HM
