WOOD PRODUCTS HISTORY

The Forest Products Industry, Montana's Living Heritage

The first known sawmill in Montana was built by a Jesuit priest, Father Anthony Ravalli, at present day Stevensville in 1845. Lumber from the mill was strictly for local use. Demand for forest products accelerated rapidly after gold was discovered near Bannack in 1862. Lumber was used to construct "sluices or flumes," in addition to homes, buildings, and mine shafts. Mills were constructed wherever gold camps were started. By the 1800's, the construction of railroad lines created new demands for forest products including railroad ties, bridges, stationhouses, and tunnels. The railroad also linked Montana's forests to the rest of the nation. A national demand for housing surfaced following World War II and added plywood, pulp and paper, and particle board to the forest products industry in Montana.

In 1990, the forest products industry in Montana had sales of $900 million to 1 billion. Of those sales, over 90% was shipped to out of state markets. 

There are currently 200 primary forest products plants in Montana. These plants produce lumber and sawn products, plywood, pulp and paper, particleboard and fiberboard, house logs, utility poles, posts and tree props, cedar products, and wood by-products. There are a variety of secondary products produced in Montana including cabinets, furniture, pre-fabricated homes, and laminated beams.

The forest products industry provides 45% of the economic base of Western Montana
and 15% of Montana's economic base.