New Brunswick’s logging industry began on a small scale around the year 1670 mostly by the French settlers with a mill in Charlotte County. It was not until a century later with the influx of American Loyalists and British settlers that the industry made a bigger impact. It was in this period that giant White Pines were reserved first by the French Crown and shortly after the British Crown for shipbuilding during the Napoleonic War. These giant trees were 200’ in height and over 7’ in diameter and were all cut by early 17th century.

[South Bay River Boom c.1866]

There were over 300 sawmills at the peak of the logging industry between 1810-1840. Mills were always located near a river as this was the only means of transportation until the late 19th century. The logs were dumped in the water in the spring and were gathered at a booming area for sorting. Many logs became water-logged and sank, river log-driving was practiced until only 40 years ago. There were so many logs that the logging operations always allowed a 5-15% rate of loss, due to sinking. Many of them are long lost, but we are retrieving the ones left behind, truly rare treasures.

[sawmill village c. 1855 (Public Archives of New Brunswick)]

[River drive makes it to the sawmill in Chatham, NB c.1900]PANB P18-259

Today, there is only 2% of the original virgin forest in New Brunswick. Although they are supposed to be protected, they are still being cut by big industry who has no regard for the future generations of our forests. Understanding that our living environment is fragile, we must focus on utilizing our resources in the wisest possible manner and we can create many jobs in the process. The lumber industry built this province and it is filled with a rich history, it remains the mainstay of our economic base today.