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Frase's Steam Sawmill

In 1956 Gene Frase built a steam powered sawmill near Onalaska, Washington, USA. At that time most commercial saw mills were moving away from steam power and Gene was able to pick up surplus steam equipment for use in his sawmill. Gene made a living running his sawmill up till a few years ago. Now in his 90's, Gene occasionally works with his son Steve Frase to run the mill as needed for projects for their own use. The pictures in this gallery were taken on December 1, 2005.

The mill is completely powered by steam using sawdust and slab wood to fuel the boiler. The one boiler provides steam for six steam engines that run different items in the mill. There is an engine that operates the winch that pull logs into the mill from the pond. There are two smaller two cylinder engines with one operating a hydraulic system for adjusting the width of cut on the log carriage and another operating the out/return feed rollers. The largest engine powers the main saw, head saw, log carriage feed and sawdust conveyer system. A vertical engine powers the swing saw that is used for cutting slabs into fire wood lengths. And the last engine runs the planer.

Update Dec 2008
Heavy snow has collapsed most of the roof of the sawmill. Pictures at the end of the gallery.

Update July 2011
Gene pasted away on July 21, 2011 at the age of 97.

In 2015 all of the equipment was moved to the Logging Museum at Mt. Rainier Railroad, Mineral, WA. It is set up as a static display.
Mill pond and mill ------- IMG_0883a.jpg
Mill pond and mill ------- IMG_0883a.jpg		 Mill pond and mill ------- IMG_0804a.jpg
Mill pond and mill ------- IMG_0804a.jpg		 Mill pond and mill ------- IMG_0813a.jpg
Mill pond and mill ------- IMG_0813a.jpg		 Mill from the road side ---------- IMG_0814a.jpg
Mill from the road side ---------- IMG_0814a.jpg
The back side ------------ IMG_0818a.jpg
The back side ------------ IMG_0818a.jpg		 Mill pond and mill ------- IMG_0895a.jpg
Mill pond and mill ------- IMG_0895a.jpg		 Wood/sawdust fired boiler --------- IMG_0746a.jpg
Wood/sawdust fired boiler --------- IMG_0746a.jpg		 Boiler at 140 psi ----- IMG_0765a.jpg
Boiler at 140 psi ----- IMG_0765a.jpg
Main Engine ----------- IMG_0747a.jpg
Main Engine ----------- IMG_0747a.jpg		 Gene and the main engine -------IMG_0755a.jpg
Gene and the main engine -------IMG_0755a.jpg		 Gene and the main engine --------IMG_0756a.jpg
Gene and the main engine --------IMG_0756a.jpg		 Main engine-----------IMG_0759a.jpg
Main engine-----------IMG_0759a.jpg
Main engine ------------- IMG_0772a.jpg
Main engine ------------- IMG_0772a.jpg		 Main engine at speed -------------- IMG_0862a.jpg
Main engine at speed -------------- IMG_0862a.jpg		 Main engine at speed ----------------- IMG_0873a.jpg
Main engine at speed ----------------- IMG_0873a.jpg		 Gene working on the main engine ----- IMG_0911a.jpg
Gene working on the main engine ----- IMG_0911a.jpg
Main engine govenor ------- IMGIMG_0752a.jpg
Main engine govenor ------- IMGIMG_0752a.jpg		 Steve and Gene working on the sawdust conveyer drive ----- IMG_0749a.jpg
Steve and Gene working on the sawdust conveyer drive ----- IMG_0749a.jpg		 Steve and Gene working on the sawdust conveyer drive ---------- IMG_0750a.jpg
Steve and Gene working on the sawdust conveyer drive ---------- IMG_0750a.jpg		 Logs are pulled in from the pond -------- IMG_0808a.jpg
Logs are pulled in from the pond -------- IMG_0808a.jpg
Logs in the mill --------- IMG_0794a.jpg
Logs in the mill --------- IMG_0794a.jpg		 Steve operating the carriage -------IMG_0791a.jpg
Steve operating the carriage -------IMG_0791a.jpg		 Carriage from the feed end ----- IMG_0902a.jpg
Carriage from the feed end ----- IMG_0902a.jpg		 Outfeed end of the carriage ----- IMG_0834a.jpg
Outfeed end of the carriage ----- IMG_0834a.jpg
Gene feeding the boiler --------- IMG_0844a.jpg
Gene feeding the boiler --------- IMG_0844a.jpg		 Gene feeding the boiler ----- IMG_0845a.jpg
Gene feeding the boiler ----- IMG_0845a.jpg		 First cut on a log -------- IMG_0848a.jpg
First cut on a log -------- IMG_0848a.jpg		 Turning the log ----------IMG_0849a.jpg
Turning the log ----------IMG_0849a.jpg
Cutting in progress ------ IMG_0853a.jpg
Cutting in progress ------ IMG_0853a.jpg		 Cut completed ------------- IMG_0855a.jpg
Cut completed ------------- IMG_0855a.jpg		 Gene on the swing saw ---------- IMG_0859a.jpg
Gene on the swing saw ---------- IMG_0859a.jpg		 Turning the log --------------- IMG_0860a.jpg
Turning the log --------------- IMG_0860a.jpg
Cut in progress ------------- IMG_0870a.jpg
Cut in progress ------------- IMG_0870a.jpg		 Second slab off ----------- IMG_0871a.jpg
Second slab off ----------- IMG_0871a.jpg		 Cut lumber on the outfeed --------- IMG_0907a.jpg
Cut lumber on the outfeed --------- IMG_0907a.jpg		 Cut lumber on the out feed ----------IMG_0913a.jpg
Cut lumber on the out feed ----------IMG_0913a.jpg
Swing saw engine ------------- IMG_0826a.jpg
Swing saw engine ------------- IMG_0826a.jpg		 Swing saw engine --------- IMG_0831a.jpg
Swing saw engine --------- IMG_0831a.jpg		 Swing saw engine --------- IMG_0837a.jpg
Swing saw engine --------- IMG_0837a.jpg		 Steve on the swing saw --------- IMG_0917a.jpg
Steve on the swing saw --------- IMG_0917a.jpg
Steve cutting slab wood ------- IMG_0838a.jpg
Steve cutting slab wood ------- IMG_0838a.jpg		 Sawn lumber --------------- IMG_0886a.jpg
Sawn lumber --------------- IMG_0886a.jpg		 IMG_0897va2.jpg
IMG_0897va2.jpg		 Frase Steam Sawmill, Roof collapsed
Frase Steam Sawmill, Roof collapsed
Frase Steam Sawmill, Roof collapsed
Frase Steam Sawmill, Roof collapsed		 Shop
Shop		 Frase Steam Sawmill, Roof collapsed
Frase Steam Sawmill, Roof collapsed		 Mill pond/mill
Mill pond/mill
Frase Creek
Frase Creek		 In 2019 the Frase Creek culvert was replaced
In 2019 the Frase Creek culvert was replaced		 2019 Sawmill/Mill Pond location
2019 Sawmill/Mill Pond location

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kurt 15-Nov-2016 01:09
Anyone know what has happened with the equipment from this mill, i am currently restoring an old steam powered sawmill and setting it up in eastern oregon and am in need of a boiler. any info as to if the old boiler would be available would be great.
thank you,
kurt
kurt@lbruun.com
Tom Hull 18-Jun-2015 03:56
He was a great guy. I shot a lot of video of him for an article I did in Timber Times magazine and he provided some timeless quotes.
james howard 11-Jan-2009 22:06
Jim..My heart went to my throat when I saw the Frase Creek Steam Sawmll yesterday. The snow load took it down but the love of that sawmill will make it rise again. It's a very important part of american history and should be restored. I looked at it this morning on my weekly walk and took a closer look. The mighty steam engines. several over 100 years old. are still in tack just waiting for a new roof and a fire in the box and Poof it;s pumping out lumber once again!
Twenty years ago I produced 2 documentaries on Mr. Frase working the mill,
all the engines were hissing and cutting my logs into lumber. Gene Frase kept me spellbound with his stories about the "days of steam". He started with the old steam donkeys in the woods way back in the days of "Misery Whips". Mr.Frase is up in his years
now and can still spin a good yarn. His sons will rebuild the mill and breathe new life into the ancient steam engines soon.
If anyone is interested in getting a copy on DVD of both documentaries give me a call
at 1 360 978 6225. The 2 part DVD is appx 45 min each. You will love it.
Preserve our heritage!!

James Howard
Reg Beint 06-Nov-2008 13:32
These splendid photos take me back to the early 1930's through to 1945. My family firm ran three portable steam sawmills in the New Forest, Hampshire, U.K. under contract to the Forestry Commission. The Commission were carrying out a re-afforestation scheme and wanted to convert the felled trees into merchantable lumber. This became a priority during the 1939/45 Second World War due to the restrictions of importing timber. We moved about the Forest as and when compartments were felled. We ran a rack bench for breaking down the logs and small push penches for resawing . These benches had circular saws with the patented American Hoe replaceable teeth, and our operations seemed remarkably similar to the American style. Thanks for stirring my memories.
Wendy Giedd 29-Aug-2008 15:01
I came across this gallery while surfing, and am so glad that I did! Beautifully photographed, and very interesting. Thanks.

Wendy Giedd
Monte Dodge06-Dec-2007 14:05
Great gallery!! Vote
GARY HENDRIX 23-Oct-2007 22:17
YOU HAVE A GREAT WEB SITE , AND I WOULD ENJOY VISITING YOR MILL , AS WE SHARE MUCH IN COMMON . AS OUR FAMILY OPPERATES A FOR PROFIT STEAM POWERED MILL WHICH HAS BEEN IN OPPERATION ,110 YEARS IN NORTHERN CA. www.phillipsbrosmill.com
Boone Morrison 21-Aug-2007 02:08
It may be of interest that this is NOT the only non theme-park, steam mill in the US. The Sturgeon's Mill, at
Sebastopol, CA, is a fully operational, steam powered mill in all respects. They run about once a month to cut
for local folks, and host two or three annual public steam-ups. Though the present mill was built in 1923,
all the equipment dates from about 1885. A Joshua Hendy Ironworks carriage and double circle headrig are
in service, as well as an edger and cutoff saw. There are three steam engines in service - the main engine is an
Atlas single cyl, double acting unit built in 1870, supposedly for a steam schooner, but used also at the SF Mint.
The equipment was bought by the Korbel Bros (of champagne fame) to cut lumber for crates - known as the Eagles
Nest Mill - and later purchased by Wade Sturgeon in 1913. His son Ralph ran the present mill until 1964 when they
retired. Ralph's son, Bob, is now president of the mill group, who have gotten historic status and created a restoration group. I made a film about Sturgeons in 2001, which is available as a DVD from Oso Publishing (www.osorail.com). It shows the whole operation and includes interviews with Ralph Sturgeon and his partner, Jim Henningsen, both now deceased. Your photographs are excellent - wish we had snow in Sonoma County!

Boone Morrison
gene amondson 18-Aug-2007 20:19
i met bill lear, after he put 10 million in as steam car....
many belive .......a steam car is better than going electric....
Doug Krahn 18-Aug-2007 02:46
Thanks for sharing. All I can say is that the pictures are wonderful, fantistic, incredible, amazing. What a great picture gallery. As as you should be able to tell, I'm very pleased and happy. Thanks again.
Clark McAbee 17-Aug-2007 20:51
JIM! Thanks for sharing! I'd been to Gene's mill a couple times but never got to see it operate! Really nice job capturing the feel of the place. I took a group of about 25 logging enthusiasts to the mill in June 0f 2006. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed talking to Gene and seeing this fine old mill.
Guest 23-Oct-2006 11:42
Nice collection of images to help promote & share this
wonderful place with others. Added to my favorites.
Thanks Jim!
Guest 07-Jan-2006 18:45
Hi Jim, What a great gallery -- many thanks for posting these -- you can almost smell the sawdust...!

These remind me of the "McLean Mill" -- the only remaining steam sawmill in Canada, located on Vancouver Island near Port Alberni, BC. It has been designated a National Historic Site, and is still a working mill -- taking and cutting orders for locals. The day I was there, they were cutting 6X6 yellow ceder fence posts.

http://www.alberniheritage.com/mill.shtml
http://collections.gc.ca/drawings/sites/site3/site3.html
http://www.islandnet.com/~westisle/Image%20musm/steammil.html

Port Alberni has a steam train that runs from down town, several miles out the mill, and back again, so visitors really get the full "steam experience". If you ever get up to that part of the world, I recommend it highly. I'm sure going to make an effort to get to Washington state to see this one.

Thanks again, Steve.
Keith 19-Dec-2005 03:52
Fantastic photographs. Thanks for taking the time to share. An operating steam powered sawmill is something that very few of us will ever have a chance to see. I build model steam engines. Sure makes a scale saw mill tempting.
Paul C. in CT 17-Dec-2005 00:16
I know a fellow in New Hampshire who makes pegs for timber framers. I'll ask if he knows about the steam powered mill there. Jim, many thanks for the wonderful tour of the saw mill.
Guest 16-Dec-2005 10:37
Great photos! Anyone know if the steam peg mill in Bartlett, New Hampshire is still in use?

Chas Morrill
Tom Cannon 15-Dec-2005 00:57
Excvellent job! I wish I lived closer! This is a got to see!
Guest 14-Dec-2005 20:48
Jim,
I loved to see the pics of the mill in action. Great job!
Mike McKnight
James Hefner 14-Dec-2005 20:04
Great pictures; Jim. Thank you for sharing.

I noticed in the pictures IMG_0746a.jpg and IMG_0845a.jpg a Westinghouse locomotive type air brake compressor just on the right edge of the picture. Any idea what it was used for; it appears to be derelict now. Also, did the boiler use a pair of injectors, or does it have a steam pump?

-James Hefner
Surviving World Steam Project
Jess. ( Lady.D.)05-Dec-2005 17:54
An exceptional gallery Jim, very well photographed. Congratulations on a fine effort.
Jess
Guest 05-Dec-2005 16:26
You have a great story here.. you did a really great job..
Rafi
Ron Crain05-Dec-2005 14:50
Great coverage Jim. The first image with the mill pond is wonderful.
Looking forward to more images from this wonderful mill.
click on thumbnails for full image