Lewis Sawmill: Historical Marker
- Alysha Kuhn
- Jun 6
- 2 min read

Curtis Lewis began construction on the sawmill in 1851 and only took a year to build, and he was able to begin operation in 1852. As well as general sawmill work, Curtis would

produce cheese boxes, sap buckets, churns, and pails on the side. However, this side operation rapidly became popular with local farmers from all across North Country.
Unfortunately, over the course of its operation, the mill burned down twice. After the first time, Lewis' son, Thomas E. Lewis, found work at the Sciota Manufacturing Company at just eight years old. It was here that Thomas became interested in barrel-making. When Curtis Lewis was able to rebuild the mill, Thomas suggested adding barrels to the long list of Lewis products, so Curtis loaned Thomas money to start up his own side business. Thomas's idea proved extremely lucrative for himself. By 1883, Thomas was able to pay back his father and gift his mother one hundred dollars. As the only apple barrel producer in the area, Thomas had

customers all across the North Country and northern Vermont. At its height the mill had 15 men making barrels, night and day.
The mill ran on waterpower up until 1881 when the mill added in steam power in conjunction with the waterpower. As Thomas's business expanded, the mill became pressed for space. Due to the seasonal demand for barrels, Thomas would need to build up thousands of barrels over the winter and store them in large storehouses until the

spring when demand increased once again.
In the late 1930s, apple farmers shifted their interests from apple barrels to apple boxes and demand for the barrels dwindled. Thomas discontinued his barrel business, and the mill sat idle for several years until Cyrenus Martin purchased the property. Martin tore the mill down and built a house in its place.
This marker was erected by the Town of Chazy.
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