SAGINAW AND MANISTEE LUMBER COMPANY: LOGGING OPERATIONS FROM 1936-1941:1941-1956 (Updated 3/7/24)

 SAGINAW AND MANISTEE LUMBER COMPANY:

 LOGGING OPERATIONS FROM 1936-1941; 1941-1956

COPYRIGHT: ALL RIGHTS RESERVED (3/7/24)

    The Company did not operate logging railroads from 1936 until 1941, when the Arizona Lumber and Timber operations in Flagstaff were leased (Glover;4; Stein 40.)  The main Mill continued production during this time period, with the box factory shutting down in 1942. World War II contributed to this decision, as consolidation of operations meant a more efficient use of resources. 

    The question remains as to how the Williams Mill continued to function without the logging railroads. For more than forty years, the various railroad lines had been the arteries, providing the lifeblood of logs to the mill. All of the woods engines had now been sold, or soon would be scrapped for the war effort.

    Since the installation of the Clyde Loading Derrick in 1928, The mill site had the capacity to store some 3 million feet of logs. Presumably, over the years the storage capacity would have been increased.  In 1936, the Great Depression began to wain, but nevertheless its effects would have had an impact on the future planning by the owners. This is one reason why the Company had purchased large tracts of timber in the Mormon Lakes area, south of Flagstaff, and were eyeing the lumber mill in Flagstaff.

    In 1936, the Company had over 100,000,000 feet of timber, estimated to last three years, located south of Williams. They invested in additional Caterpillar tractors, and a fleet of new logging trucks and trailers. This area probably included the vast holdings to the south of White Horse Lake, in the general location of Tule and Saginaw Tanks, extending west to Perkinsville Road. There were additional holdings in the Hell Canyon area, which may have been harvested at this time. Contractors were also used to harvest the timber. After this area was cut, the future would depend on the resources south of Flagstaff. 

       In 1941 the Company leased  the Arizona Lumber and Timber operations, located in Flagstaff. Along with the mill came all of the forest operations, including the Allen Lake Line. This was one of the last domains of steam logging railroads in the North Country. The Allen Lake Line was essentially a  steam engine powered, reasonably straight conveyor belt to and from the mill. With the exception of several short spurs and a "Y" near the southern end, the line was fed by trucks. 

    In October of 1944 the Saginaw and Manistee purchased its' first and only 2-6-6-2 articulated mallet locomotive. Not just any articulate, but a true mallet with high and low pressure steam cylinders. It had previously been used in the Pacific Northwest. Later, in 1953, it was sold to Southwest Lumber Mills, until having been scrapped in 1956 (Schuppert, pages 96, 97.)     

    An  average steam logging locomotive can be said to chug its way through the forest, satisfied to rock about the unballasted rails, glad to have a day in the sunshine. A proud little iron horse; at times prancing, yet determined as it goes about its work. An articulated, fire-breathing 2-6-6-2 is not just another steam engine. Such a devising of man thunders, shaking earth and sky, loudly announcing its presence; a majestic form casting broad shadows on the landscape, leaving no one to doubt as to what is approaching. Such a spectacle, once witnessed, will always be remembered; awesome to behold; urging even the most proud of men to stand in silence, hat in hand, humbled with respect and admiration.  This is no pony, this was an iron-willed stallion at work!

Southwest Forest Industries engine number 12. Engine is on display at 

Arizona Historical Society, Pioneer Museum located in Flagstaff, Arizona 

    Engine number #12 is similar to the original 2-6-6-2 operated by the Saginaw and Manistee during the Flagstaff years. The Saginaw engine was worn out, and after having outlived its' useful life, was unceremoniously scrapped. 

     Engine #12, the second 2-6-6-2 to operate in the Flagstaff area, was donated to the city of Flagstaff by Southwest Forest Industries. After having been moved to to the Pioneer Museum, it is now proudly displayed along the main road. The Pioneer Museum is dedicated to the preservation of the history of early pioneers in the Flagstaff area. This museum has outdoor displays and rotating exhibits located in the main building, and is well worth your visit (2340 N. Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff, Arizona; azhs.org/museum/pioneer.) 

Saginaw engine #25, a 2-8-0 used in Flagstaff, Arizona. Image author's collection