Difference between revisions of "Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company"

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(New page: The '''Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company''' was a lumber mill in northern Escambia County founded in 1900 by General Russell A. Alger and Martin H. Sullivan. The community of [...)
 
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The '''Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company''' was a lumber mill in northern [[Escambia County]] founded in [[1900]] by General [[Russell A. Alger]] and [[Martin H. Sullivan]]. The community of [[Century]] was established the same year (hence the town's name) to house the mill's employees. The company's investors purchased the 220,000 acres for its proximity to the [[Escambia River]] and abundance of longleaf yellow pine. They intended to clear cut the pinewood over a short time, after which the company would fade away "like an old soldier." However, thanks in large part to the reforestation practices of company leader [[Edward A. Hauss]], the mill was able to prosper for decades.
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The '''Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company''' was a lumber mill in northern [[Escambia County]] founded in [[1901]] by General [[Russell A. Alger]] and [[Martin H. Sullivan]]. The community of [[Century]] was built by the company at the beginning of the 20th century (hence the town's name) to house the mill's employees. The location was chosen for its proximity to the L&N railroad and the [[Escambia River]].
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The company's investors had previously purchased 220,000 acres in south Alabama for its abundance of longleaf yellow pine. They intended to clear cut the pinewood over a short time, after which the company would fade away "like an old soldier." However, thanks in large part to the reforestation practices of company leader [[Edward A. Hauss]], the mill was able to prosper for decades.
  
The 90-mile [[Alger Railroad]] was built to run from Century to company-owned lands in Alabama. It was discontinued in [[1942]].
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The 90-mile [[Alger Railroad]] (much more if one counted the many miles of spurs), a common carrier officially named the Escambia Railroad, first built by the Sullivans in the late 1890s in the western part of Escambia County, Alabama, also ran from Century to the company-owned lands in Alabama. It was discontinued in [[1942]].
  
The company ceased operations in [[1957]]. The [[Alger-Sullivan Historic District]] was established in Century to commemorate the company's impact on the region.
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The company ceased operations in [[1957]]. The [[Alger-Sullivan Historic District]] was established in Century in the late 1980s to commemorate the company's impact on the region.
  
 
==Notable individuals==
 
==Notable individuals==

Revision as of 19:33, 30 January 2009

The Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company was a lumber mill in northern Escambia County founded in 1901 by General Russell A. Alger and Martin H. Sullivan. The community of Century was built by the company at the beginning of the 20th century (hence the town's name) to house the mill's employees. The location was chosen for its proximity to the L&N railroad and the Escambia River. The company's investors had previously purchased 220,000 acres in south Alabama for its abundance of longleaf yellow pine. They intended to clear cut the pinewood over a short time, after which the company would fade away "like an old soldier." However, thanks in large part to the reforestation practices of company leader Edward A. Hauss, the mill was able to prosper for decades.

The 90-mile Alger Railroad (much more if one counted the many miles of spurs), a common carrier officially named the Escambia Railroad, first built by the Sullivans in the late 1890s in the western part of Escambia County, Alabama, also ran from Century to the company-owned lands in Alabama. It was discontinued in 1942.

The company ceased operations in 1957. The Alger-Sullivan Historic District was established in Century in the late 1980s to commemorate the company's impact on the region.

Notable individuals