Forests, Fields, and the Falls: Primary Sources

Lumbering Sawmilling Farming Flourmilling Map of Minnesota Glossary About this project Primary Sources Activity Ideas Tips

Primary Sources

Lumbering

Camp Was Two Days' Walk from Aitkin:

  • "The First Day Out..."
  • Crossing the Mississippi
  • Spending the Night

The Lumber Camp:

  • Cook Shack
  • Sleep Camp
  • Blacksmith Shop
  • Stables
  • Filer's Shop
  • Office and Store
  • Outhouse

In 20 More Years, Minnesota's Giant White Pine Forest Would Be Entirely Cut.

  • "....The Standing Pine Which Is Still Left..."
  • Why Was All the Pine Logged?
  • What Happened When the Pine Was Gone?

How Would a Lumber Crew Move a 2,000-Pound Log?

  • Roads
  • Loading
  • Sledding
  • Teamsters
  • Unloading

Sawmilling

Some of the Adventures:

  • Sledding
  • Marbles
  • Baseball
  • "My Family Lived..."

Job Descriptions:

  • Pond Men
  • Chief Sawyer
  • Dogger and Setter

Job Descriptions:

  • Trimmer Operators

Farming

Flourmilling

Working in the Mills:

  • Was It Hard Work?
  • More Machines than People
  • "...A Skilled Class of Workingmen..."