Springfield Manufacturing Company

From Lane Co Oregon

Shortly after expanding the flour mill, the corporation of the Springfield Manufacturing Company sold the mills and water power in 1872 to Byron and William Pengra. It is speculated that the rerouting of the railroad line to Eugene influenced the shareholders’ decision to sell. The Pengras operated the mills despite the lack of railroad access. In 1882, the sawmill was destroyed by fire.

The loss of the mill was considered “a serious catastrophe to the district, as it was the best sawmill in the county.” The replacement mill was built immediately after the fire by a structure three stories in height and 55x100 feet in plan. The Pengras used all of the best and newest improvements in machinery, including the new steel circular saw blades available at that time (Clarke 1983:34).