1

In 1942 when Percy F. Tarry arrived on the south shore of Adams Lake, British Columbia to build a sawmill, there were few permanent residents in the area. The Adams River Lumber Company had ceased its logging operations in 1925 and the pole-logging industry was sporadic. The next year Tarry took Arthur Holding as a partner. By 1944, they built a school, a store and community hall at Adams Lake to accommodate the families of their employees.

A fire in 1945 destroyed the mill. It was re-built that same year by Arthur Holding and re-named the Holding Lumber Company. Percy Tarry and his son John Tarry were hired to help run the operation.

2

Re-building Holdings Lumber Company Mill
c 1945
Adams Lake, British Columbia, Canada

3

Initially the mill employed 25-30 people. Logging crews consisted of a faller and swamper along with a teamster who managed the horses. Generally four logging crews plus mill workers could man the operation.

4

Loaded logging truck
1948
Chase/Shuswap Area, British Columbia, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Walter Forest Montgomery

5

Horses were used for skidding in the bush and mill yard until the 1950's. Trucks and rail cars were loaded by hand.

6

Road building with a Caterpillar
c 1936-1960
Chase/Shuswap Area, British Columbia, Canada

7

As caterpillars and graders improved the roads and mill operations were upgraded and expanded, independent contractors and truck drivers obtained employment with the company.

8

Booms transported logs to the mill and finished lumber was hauled by truck to the railway siding at Squilax, British Columbia. Lumber from this mill was shipped across Canada and the United States.

9

Boom boat at work
c1953
Adams Lake, British Columbia, Canada

10

By the 1960's, electricity replaced steam power and mill production increased. The company grew to employ 200-300 people both in the mill and in the logging operations.

11

Boom yard at Holdings Lumber Mill
1965
Adams Lake, British Columbia, Canada

Credits:
Walter Forest Montgomery

12

Arthur Holding retired in 1971, selling the mill to Whonnock which has re-named the mill Adams Lake Lumber Company. This company is still operating today.