The Island Mills:
Tannery Island had piles of hemlock bark that caught fire, but it was
contained and that tannery did not burn. Revell's Tannery, on the west bank
was one of the early losses, however.
As with the Carthage Lumber Co., these mills counted on the river for
transportation as well as power for their equipment.
This veneering mill was another of the woodbased industries found on the
islands and along the shores of the Black River.
Only after the Fire of 1884 do we see the start of the paper industry that was
to become the economic basis for the community in the 20 the century. This
mill was located on Tannery Island and had a daily output of 25 tons of pulp
board in 1899 and employed about 75 people.
Even today, the islands are utilized by various small mills, as seen in the
picture above.
Mills on the River Banks:
This Knitting Mill depended on hydro-power for the looms.
The factory of M. P. Mason manufactured turned work,
The Ice Houses of the Maxwell Brothers appear in the
middle distance while the Coal Yard of Jones and
Simmons is in the foreground. (circa 1900)
West End Paper Company manufactured newsprint
and was producing 33 tons daily in 1912. (from 1912
commerative booklet)
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