Sturgeon's historic steam-powered lumber mill

Well, this is not another trip to some exotic place, but a local trip just 10 miles from home.  Still it was a wonderful day where we were transported back in time and it is the only way I can think of sharing our experience.

This steam powered lumber mill was started in Coleman Valley in 1912 and after the supply of logs ran out there, the mill was shut down, dismantled, and moved to its present location on Green Hill Road near Graton, California.  The mill operated in its present location until 1963.  In 1993 the restoration began.  After a new boiler was installed in 2006, the mill was once again being powered by steam.  Four weekends a year this 'working' museum is opened to the public.

We wander along a road up to the mill, passing wonderful old machinery.

First stop is the steam donkey.

With the attached cable, it can pull itself up on a ridge and then pull the logs up there, too.

This is the mill.

We go inside to watch.  The logs are rolled in and positioned so it can be moved and cut by a 60 inch blade.

After the slabs are cut from log, the slabs are cut with 4 blades which can be adjusted to the wanted widths.

There is a mirror set up so you can see the blades.

You can see the steam coming out from under the mill where the boiler is.

Under the mill

The old boiler...

Finally the boards are cut to length and the go to the planer.

We explore some of the other exhibits....the office

Old trucks....

A model of a steam engine..Beautifully done!!

An engine that pumped water out of the irrigation canals to the crops..

I had meant to visit here for years and finally did.  What a great day!!