The height of 1890 technology

[TimMc]

The rivers in my area were the primary means of transportation of lumber to the lumber mills and paper plants until the automobile arrived. A drone view shows the old patterns much more clearly than driving the streets

Neenah, WI with a paper mill built square in the middle of the river.

Menasha, one town north on the same river system and a paper mill square in the middle of the river
The area on the left has lost its plants in the last 10 years.

The far right channel is deeper and has a boat lock at the far end.

a typical mill design from that era

The mills were built on piling and columns over the river, the logs floated in under the building and hoisted up for processing. No need for cranes, trucking or even a lot of conveying.

But today, with the rivers unused for supply the construction looks goofy. And is repeated all down the river.

 

[AlanLichty]

Interesting bit of history here. I like the details of the old mill in the last two images.

The waterfront in Vancouver Washington used to be lined with paper mills but they finally tore the last big one down and are developing the land for modern structures and public waterfront access on the Columbia River.

 

[JimFox]

That's some interesting history Tim, and great photos to illustrate that. The drone looks to be perfect to showing that.

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Interesting. Nicely captured. The drone opens up so many possibilities.

 

[TimMc]

And sadly the old mill is gone

 

[AlanLichty]

Any clue what is going to replace the old mill along this river bank?

 

[TimMc]

Any clue what is going to replace the old mill along this river bank?

most of the old mills are either being converted to residential apartments or being torn down for office or comercial use. The problem with this particular building is that its only access is a alley thru the rest of active mill that remains. It will probably stay as storage/parking.