Page 1 of 1
Sawmill in Madawaska area.
Posted: 18 May 2009 23:04
by Nan
I am trying to find out if anyone knows anything about a sawmill being located along the St. John River either on the Maine or N.B. side in the 1870's or early 1900's in the Madawaska area. I believe it was owned by a man named Keating, name may have various spellings. I was told that it was across the river from Fort Kent but am not sure if that is correct or not. I'm also looking for info on an Ida (Brown) Keating. She is in the 1911 census but I can not find any other info on her or her family.
Thanks,
Nan
Posted: 22 Sep 2009 15:50
by Clarence Ouellette
As I recall, there was a sawmill in Keagan in the 1940's. Every spring lumber cut in the allagash would float down the St. John River to Keagan. The logs were stopped by man made islands in the St. John River right before the mill. I remember the logs jamming up and causing a dam at the bridge from Madawaska to Edmonston. This daming had to be broken up with dynamite. I remember standing on the international bridge to witness this event. The sawmill in Keagan burnt down several times. It it said that the reason for the destruction of the mill is that it was partially built on an old cemetary. There was also a sawmill in Grand Isle (1800's). This mill was owned and operated by the Cyr's. Bon Chance,