Timber on the Little Kanawha River

By John H. Frazier

This book provides a detailed historical account of the Little Kanawha River and its significance to the timber industry during the peak of production in the 1800s, along with personal anecdotes from my family who has lived for decades along the river in Wirt County West Virginia. The book particularly focuses on my great-grandfather Benjamin Franklin Frazier, who was employed by the timber industry along the river. The Little Kanawha River drains approximately 2,160 square miles of northern and central West Virginia. It flows through several counties before meeting the Ohio River at Parkersburg, West Virginia. The river's unique curves contribute to the beauty of the valley and its rich history, particularly in timbering and navigation. The river was a lifeline to early settlers who used its resources for farming and timbering. In the early 19th century, the Virginia General Assembly mandated the construction of locks to improve navigation, facilitating timber transport along the river. This act reflects the importance of the river to the local economy and the timber industry. The book describes the methods used in timbering, including the use of horses, oxen, and mules to skid logs down steep terrain into the river. I highlight the dangers associated with this work, such as dealing with log jams and navigating the river's dangerous currents. As the timber industry grew, so did the need for mills along the Little Kanawha River. The book describes several mills and their location along the river. Each facet of the timber industry is described as each is intricately entangled with the other. For example, the oil industry, which exploded before the Civil War, brought about the need for timber for the construction of industry needs such as derricks, housing, barrels, boats, and rafts for transport and eventually crossties for railroads. The need for mills to process the lumber is clear. The Little Kanawha River played a very important part in the growth of the State of West Virginia and the industrial development of the United States. In writing this book, I have attempted to describe the role of this small river in this development. It is my privilege to have a personal family heritage that has allowed me to do so.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0F3WJKTSF
• ISBN13: 9798316664467
• Release Date: April 2025
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 90 Pages
• Dimensions: 11.2" x 0.4" x 8.5"