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R.B. Mclean Sawmill - ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION |
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At the peak of the operation the sawmill site consisted of almost 35 buildings. The buildings vary physically depending on their use and function. Some structures were built from heavy timber and others with light frames. "Exterior materials are typically vertical and horizontal weather-board siding; roofs are typically wood shingles or corrugated metal."(Heritage Conservation Program, Mclean Mill National Historic Site Port Alberni, British Columbia. Condition and Impact Assessment: Main Mill Building. p.1)
The working mill buildings were mainly constructed from unfinished red cedar and Douglas fir. The wood was logged nearby and cut at the sawmill. The building materials are described as dressed logs, sawn timbers, dimension lumber, corrugated iron and metal pins, plates and rods.(Heritage Conservation Program, Mclean Mill National Historic Site Port Alberni, British Columbia. Condition and Impact Assessment: Main Mill Building. Ch.6, 1) The sawmill is located in a Coastal Western Hemlock zone and the surrounding forest consists mostly of western hemlock, Douglas fir, grand fir and western red cedar. (Chathan,Robert Mclean Mill Historic Site, 1997 Archaeological Investigations and Impact Assessment. p.3)
Building materials at the R.B. Mclean sawmill site evolved with the technology of the mill itself. In the beginning rough plank boards, the best the mill was capable of cutting, were used in the construction of the buildings. As time went on and the milling techniques and technology got better, then more refined timber was used. There is a significant difference between the materials in the early and later buildings. |
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Last updated 31 August 1998. This digital collection was produced under contract to the Canada's Digital Collections Program, Industry Canada. Produced by Canada's Digital Collections Team. Content provided by BC Heritage Trust and Heritage Branch, Province of British Columbia. |
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