In "The Story of Mt. Lookout" by Carrie Jo Huffman, she states that the 43,000 acres to the North of Meadow River was a mighty forest of giant poplars, great red oaks, white oaks, chestnut, walnut, and cherry. From the pictures I have here of the Wilderness Lumber Company I can certainly believe that.
The Wilderness Lumber Company was located in Nallen, WV. As a kid I can remember driving through Nallen and seeing the remnants of the mill. It was amazing for me to find out that it used to be the largest hardwood operation in the WORLD. In 1927 they even supplied the lumber and other timber that the U.S. Navy used to restore the USS Constitution "Old Ironsides".
I really don't know the names of anyone in these photos other than my grandfather. Judging by the size of those trees, I think it's a safe bet to say that they were real men. I can't even imagine how difficult it must have been. As you can see NO power equipment.
Here are a few links to old newspaper articles that I found regarding Wilderness Lumber Company
The Morgantown Post / July 21,1961
Beckley Post-Herald / June 8,1972
Beckley Post-Herald / January 2,1973
The Raleigh Register / June 29,1977
If you have any information regarding Wilderness Lumber Company or these photos I would love to hear it.
Emory
The Wilderness Lumber Company was located in Nallen, WV. As a kid I can remember driving through Nallen and seeing the remnants of the mill. It was amazing for me to find out that it used to be the largest hardwood operation in the WORLD. In 1927 they even supplied the lumber and other timber that the U.S. Navy used to restore the USS Constitution "Old Ironsides".
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| Lumberyard Crew - My grandfather George Wesley Kincaid (center) |
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| Look at the size of that log they are sitting on!! |
Here are a few links to old newspaper articles that I found regarding Wilderness Lumber Company
The Morgantown Post / July 21,1961
Beckley Post-Herald / June 8,1972
Beckley Post-Herald / January 2,1973
The Raleigh Register / June 29,1977
If you have any information regarding Wilderness Lumber Company or these photos I would love to hear it.
Emory
I was born at Nallen in 1924 and my father worked as a ban saw operator. I remember him taking us to the place where he worked. We moved from Nallen to Summersville about 1930. I have not been to Nallen since my grandma Dorsey passed away in 1975. Now at age 95 I doubt I will ever get back there.
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