Saginaw and Manistee : Comparison of images, Flagstaff and Williams Mills

SAGINAW AND MANISTEE: COMPARISON OF IMAGES, FLAGSTAFF AND WILLIAMS MILLS

Occasionally in my research, I find contradicting information especially when it comes to photo images. This is not to say that anyone had forethought of malice or deception; it's just that photographs are often mislabeled, or the history is muddied after time has passed. This often results in repetitive errors in historical narratives, until such time that the context is questioned. My intent is not to maline someone, but to clarify after research shows that an earlier conclusion is possibly in error. As an example, take the following image:

This image is often labeled as the mill located in Williams, Arizona. As I was doing some research for one of my postings on this blog, I began to notice some variations that did not fall in line with the common interpretation. The vehicles in the image appear to be a mix of pre and post war cars. They are parked alongside the mill in an area that would have been the powerhouse and planing mill at the Williams site. The mountains in the background are more in alignment with the millsite in Flagstaff, having a higher elevation and a steep slope. In Williams, the background hills were further back, and were smaller in stature. Also note that the image appears to be taken from a highway, which would be in alignment with old Route 66 in Flagstaff. Finally, take note as to the location of the sawdust burner and the building; the railroad tracks appear to be on the same side of the building. 

Further research has located a postcard, showing this same mill. The image shows a panoramic view, with a big wheel cart on display to the left of the mill. The road that is at the bottom of the image is old Route 66, in Flagstaff Arizona. I shall endeavor to acquire this postcard.

This is an early image of the Williams Mill, looking Northwesterly, prior to the installation of the mill pond and the large stone powerhouse to the right of the main mill. The sawdust burner is located on the East side of the main building, with the tracks located on the West side. The burner looks very similar to the one in Flagstaff, more than likely built by the same company. Although a number of improvements were made over the years of operation, the general layout remained the same. Further images of the Williams Mill, including the maps of the millsite, can be located on this blog. 

This is an image from the archives in my collection. This is clearly identified as the Flagstaff mill, which was leased then purchased by the Saginaw in 1941. The hillsides can just be seen to the right of the image. The tracks go under the blower line to the sawdust burner. In addition, what appears to be vats and and additional sawdust collectors are to the right of the mill, something the Williams plant did not have. This image was taken facing in the opposite direction of the first one. 

My conclusion is that the first image is that of the Flagstaff Mill, not Williams.