The Saginaw and Manistee Lumber Company and Williams Arizona

 THE SAGINAW  POWER COMPANY CORPORATION POWER PLANT;  WILLIAMS ARIZONA COPYRIGHT; ALL RIGHTS RESERVED (5/10/22)     December 21, 1929 Saginaw Power Company Corporation, entered an agreement with "the town" of Williams, Arizona.  A Powerplant was to be completed on or before February 1, 1930. The plant was a modern steam (driven) electric plant, generating at 60 cycles, 3-phase Alternating Current (AC) at approximately 2300 volts, 24-hours a day.         According to the agreement, the town of Williams would have exclusive rights to sell power within the township, with the exception of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad. It was also understood that the plant would provide free electricity to the Saginaw and Manistee Lumber Company mill, and all company housing. After all, the Company built the plant out of their funds, and the Corporation had all the appearance of being a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company.     Fuel for the boilers was to be provided by the Lumber

      This past summer was busy; full of travel and adventures. Now that we are reasonably released from  Covid-19 restrictions (I leave it to you to decide the pros and cons), I have been taking several road trips. If you are interested in historic towns and narrow gauge railroads, then Colorado is the place to visit. Nevada also has its appeal, if you can except the long drives through barren desert vistas. One town that I found interesting was Pioche, Nevada. very isolated by the vast desert, it still has that unspoiled atmosphere of a remote mining community. Add the historic remains of some five mills, mountainside mines, and three railroads,  all situated at 6,000 feet, and you have a  destination worth visiting. Just keep in mind that overnight accommodations are limited, so best bring your own camper.      I  have spent time at the Chandler Library, located on the NAU campus, doing additional research on the Saginaw and Manistee Lumber Company. The Special Archives Section is e