HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-07-16, Page 64Pao 40
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Sawmills were a m. aj or p Art Df Colb orne' s develo]p ment
Amongst the earliest industries in the
- Township were sawmills, all being
operated by waterpower from the
numerous creeks flowing into the lake and
river. These creeks have since dried up,
but in the early days these mills found a
useful place in furnishing lumber and
shingles. At present there is no sawmill
operating in the Township, though at one
time there were four dams across the
River Maitland, three of them furnishing
power for saw as well as other mills.
These small mills were followed by por-
table sawmills operated by steam power,
which soon gut up the remaining timber.
The making of rollers for the British
market used up quantities of the best hard
maple, while squared timber for export
soon cleared up the rock elm. Not a great
deal of hemlock and less pine grew in the
Township;i. but ash, basswood and
tamarack were found in the swampy lands
and 'cedar grew along the banks of the
river.
The manufacture of apple and salt bar-
rels used softer elms and some beech,
while basswood was largely used for the
heads of the barrels until the supply was
used up and beech was used instead. These
barrels were made at Saltford, where at
one time two cooper shops were kept busy
the year round, and where there was also a
stave mill where large quantities of stave
bolts were turned into staves. The usual
selling price of these barrels was from
twenty to twenty-five cents delivered at
the orchards.
The residue of the standing timber was
cut into firewood, which found a market
for the rougher stuff at the salt wells,, while
the body wood was sold to residents of
Goderich and Clinton at prices ranging
from three to four dollars a cord of four
feet length, or twenty-two inches for stove
Ilse
Saltford featured salt. mines and mills
Memories are best
retained through Photography..
Goderich Square Circa 1939
For experts in Cameras, Photography and Film Processing...see
Mac CAMPB.E.LL
Royal Bank Block Goderich ph. 52.4-7532
Township Tales
1
1896
A deputation from Auburn waited on
Council consisting of Mr. Munroe and Mr.
Caldwell asking for a grant of money to
assist in establishing a public library at
Auburn.
It was moved by James Taylor, second-
ed by Andrew Millian that a grant of $5.00
be given.
1000
Circulars from Chairman of Sick
Children's Hospital in Toronto praying for
a small grant of money was read.
Moved by Alex Robertson, seconded by
James Taylor that a grant of $5.00 be given
in aid of said Hospital.
Prest Electric
R.R. 5 Goderich
524-6379
"Severing the Area
since 1947"