WILLIAMS, ARIZONA, 1892: THE CLARK AND ADAMS SAWMILL (1891-1894)

 WILLIAMS, ARIZONA 1892: THE CLARK AND ADAMS SAWMILL (1891-1894)

COPYRIGHT; ALL RIGHTS RESERVED (5/10/22)

Williams, Arizona Sanford Fire Insurance Map, December 1892:
 Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division

    From 1891-1894 E.P. Clark and A.D. Adams operated a mill 2 1/2 miles SW of Williams (this area is currently located on private property.) To paraphrase the caption; the Mill had a capacity of 35,000 board feet per day, powered by a 50 HP. steam plant, fed by cut slabs and sawdust. There were no lights, suggesting it only operated during daylight hours. Additional machinery included 1 planer, 1 cut off saw, one saw rig (probably the carriage system and a circular saw), and 1 edger. 

    The site also included a powerhouse, cook house, lumber shed and a shingle mill. Two tramways (one elevated) served the lumber yard and main building. The yard provided 150,000 square feet of lumber storage. 

    The existence of the cook house indicates that the fourteen employees lived on or near the site. Since it was located a few miles from the up-and-coming town of Williams, a short wagon or horse ride would provide employees with entertainment and other activities, on their days off. Normally, in those early years, mills ran six days per week, from early morning to the setting of the sun.  

    

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