The timber industry has played a significant part in Oregon’s economy since the 1880s, with the state becoming a leading producer of wood products by 1938. The development of rail lines in the 1870s and 1880s facilitated the expansion of logging into the forested valleys of the western Cascades and the ponderosa pine stands of eastern Oregon. Large mills in Portland and innovative logging techniques, such as using ocean-going tugboats to pull log rafts, were developed in the early 20th century.
The logging history around Mapleton, Oregon, continues to be deeply intertwined and influential with the town’s development and economic fluctuations throughout the years. In the early 1900s, loggers were drawn to Mapleton to harvest the abundant trees in the surrounding forests, marking the beginning of logging operations that would bring both jobs and economic growth to the town. However, these operations also had a negative impact on the environment.
A photograph at the top of this story is from the 1930s and was captured by the Farm Security Administration. It shows a sawmill near Mapleton, providing a visual testament to the area’s logging activities during that period. This era was challenging for the logging industry, with the Great Depression causing a significant downturn. Many logging operations slowed down, and the town’s economy, heavily reliant on logging, suffered as a result.
Despite these challenges, the logging industry in Oregon experienced a resurgence after World War II, with new technology like the modern chainsaw increasing efficiency. Logging remains a significant part of Oregon’s economy, with the state being the top U.S. producer of softwood lumber and plywood. The forestry industry employs over 61,000 Oregonians, and 47% of the state is considered forestland.
Mapleton’s economy was primarily dominated by forestry and forest products until the 1990s until Davidson Industries mills along the Siuslaw River shut down, leaving many residents out of work. The town has faced economic struggles but remains resilient, with community members actively working towards a brighter future for Mapleton.
In summary, the logging history around Mapleton, Oregon, reflects the broader trends in Oregon’s timber industry, from early 20th-century expansion and environmental impact to economic challenges and community resilience in the face of industry downturns.
Citations:
[1] https://www.tfdsupplies.com/blogs/local-historical-events/7-pieces-of-history-near-mapleton-or
[2] https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/timber_industry/
[3] https://loc.getarchive.net/media/sawmill-near-mapleton-oregon-0b90b0
[4] https://www.loc.gov/item/2017760765/
[5] https://worldforestry.org/tracing-oregons-timber-culture/
[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sign_in_Mapleton,_Oregon.jpg
[8] https://www.opb.org/article/2024/02/02/oregon-timber-industry-tax-cuts-legislature/
[9] https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/oregon/logging-history-or/
[10] https://www.mapleton.org/about/history/index.php
[11] https://www.propublica.org/article/oregon-timber-industry-tax-cuts-legislature
[12] https://www.jstor.org/stable/20613361
[13] https://www.orforestdirectory.com/company/gerber-woodworks
[14] https://www.loc.gov/item/2018698735/
[15] https://projects.oregonlive.com/timber/
[16] https://www.reddit.com/r/oregon/comments/w8f9ad/is_this_real/
