Logging in Plumas County

Located within the northern Sierra Nevada mountain range, the forests of Plumas County were once senn as a source of endless timber. Lumber was needed during the Gold Rush for water flumes, mine timbers, and an array of building. While timber was abundant, the abilities of the early settlers to harves, transport, and mill the logs were often very limited. Markets remained relatively local throughout the second half of the 19th century until the completion of the Western Pacific Railroad in 1909. This sparked a new rush of industry into the region. Vast tracts of untapped Plumas County timber were bought up by speculators, and many sawmills were erected. Logging in the western United States moved from animal power to steam engines to internal combustion in the space of about 50 years. The story of Plumas County's evolving timber industry is presente with over 200 vintage photographs collected by Scott J. Lawson and Daniel R. Elliott from a variety of sources, incluidng the Plumas County Museum Association, the U.S. Forest Service archives, and various private collections. Paperbound: 127 pages: 6.5 x 9.25"