Hume-Bennett Lumber Company

Hume-Bennett Lumber Company

Company type	Private
Industry	Logging, Lumber
Founded	1905
Founder	Thomas Hume, Ira B. Bennett
Defunct	1924
Fate	Ceased operations; lands sold to U.S. government
Successor	None
Headquarters	Hume, California , United States
Area served	Sequoia National Forest, California, United States
Key people	Thomas Hume, Ira B. Bennett
Products	Lumber from giant sequoias and other timber
Number of employees	400 (at Converse Basin Mill peak)
Parent	None

The Hume-Bennett Lumber Company was a prominent logging firm active in the Sequoia National Forest during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Renowned for building the globe's longest log flume and introducing the first multiple-arch hydroelectric dam, the company was instrumental in early industrial advancements. Nevertheless, its extensive clearcutting resulted in the elimination of approximately 8,000 giant sequoias within Converse Basin Grove, representing one of the most severe deforestation efforts recorded.

The widespread public opposition to these logging methods helped ignite the nascent conservation movement, which played a crucial role in founding Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, and General Grant Grove during the 1880s. By the mid-20th century, federal protection had been extended to nearly all remaining sequoia groves.

Although Hume-Bennett achieved notable industrial milestones, it never turned a profit and ultimately shut down operations in 1924. The United States government purchased its lands in 1935 and incorporated them into the Sequoia National Forest. This company marked the final enterprise to commercially harvest giant sequoias.

History

The foundation of the company is linked to the 1878 Timber and Stone Act, legislation intended to encourage private ownership of timberland by allowing individuals to claim federal parcels at minimal expense. Lumber firms exploited this law by enlisting claimants to accumulate extensive tracts of old-growth forest, facilitating rapid transfer from public domain to private hands and enabling large-scale logging throughout the Sierra Nevada.

Kings River Lumber Company

Established in 1888 by businessmen Hiram T. Smith and Austin D. Moore, the Kings River Lumber Company expanded its timber assets through claimant recruitment under the Timber and Stone Act. This strategy allowed them to acquire deeds covering 30,000 acres of prime old-growth sugar pine and giant sequoia, providing a vital resource base for their enterprise.

Smith and Moore set up two sawmills near the Kings River headwaters: a larger mill situated at Millwood at higher elevation and a smaller facility at Abbott Creek, which started producing lumber for a log flume in 1885. To enhance transportation and access to markets, they secured 65 acres in Sanger adjacent to Southern Pacific’s rail line, where they developed a planing mill along with factories manufacturing finished wood products such as boxes, doors, and window sashes—adding value and readiness for sale.

The Sanger Flume

In 1889, Kings River Lumber commenced building a 54-mile log flume designed to carry lumber from mountain mills down to Sanger, navigating a vertical descent of 4,200 feet. This project included constructing Sequoia Lake reservoir by erecting a stone-and-concrete dam on Mill Flat Creek to supply water essential for flume operations. Millwood functioned as the central operational base.

The flume featured a V-shaped trough made from knot-free sequoia wood supported by pine and cedar trestles. By late 1889, over 11 miles had been completed across challenging terrain, including steep canyon stretches where trestles were anchored directly into canyon walls, as well as a wooden-steel suspension bridge spanning the river. The entire flume became fully operational by September 1890.

Workers converted logs into plank blocks linked together into trains for transport via the flume, achieving an efficient journey time of approximately 15 hours to reach Sanger—providing a competitive edge in commercial lumber delivery. Flume herders managed smooth flow using telephone communications to promptly address any blockages. Supported by four feeder flumes that maintained water flow, daily capacity reached up to 250,000 board feet, with typical shipments around 140,000 board feet—volumes that significantly contributed to the company’s revenue stream and market position within the lumber sector.

Sequoia Railroad

In 1891, the enterprise broadened its scope by introducing a narrow-gauge logging railroad designed to reach remote timber stands. Their inaugural locomotive, Shay No. 1 "Sequoia," was a 36-ton steam engine manufactured by Lima Locomotive Works and shipped in components from the San Joaquin Valley. Initially, a brief track connected to the lower mill.

Although timber output exceeded 20 million board feet in 1891, it was insufficient to offset the capital expenses of the sawmill, flume, and railway. To increase production capacity, an extension of the railroad was completed in 1893, facilitating extensive commercial logging within the Converse Basin Grove. This enhancement substantially improved both the company's operational efficiency and market accessibility.

World's Fair Tree

In 1883, Kings River Lumber Company presented a massive sequoia at the World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago. Displayed prominently in the rotunda of the U.S. Government building, this exhibit sought to stimulate public curiosity and encourage cross-country rail tourism. Despite some dismissing it as a "California hoax," the showcase boosted brand recognition and later drew visitors in Washington D.C., exemplifying strategic marketing aligned with business expansion goals.

Sanger Lumber Company

During its initial four months, Kings River Lumber Company dispatched nearly 12 million board feet of lumber, reaching almost 20 million within the first year. Nevertheless, financial struggles led to bankruptcy amid the depression of 1882. Reorganized as the Sanger Lumber Company in 1894, it raised capital by selling shares to creditors who converted their liens into equity. Despite these efforts, financial instability continued, resulting in creditor foreclosure by 1895. By 1896, although cutting reached 22 million board feet, revenues remained inadequate to cover costs.

Converse Basin Mill

To recoup investments, the company constructed a sawmill deep within the redwood forest to harvest giant sequoias prized for their substantial board footage. With creditor approval, a team of 100 laborers worked through winter to enhance the hoist and incline railway. By spring of 1897, machinery was transferred from Millwood and Abbot Mills to the newly established Converse Basin sawmill. Operations commenced on June 30, 1897, employing 400 workers and utilizing a two-band saw powered by a steam engine rated at 1,000 horsepower. This bandsaw was the longest worldwide at that time, enabling efficient processing of enormous sequoia logs.

Felling the Sequoia

The process of cutting down giant redwood trees was intricate and dangerous, demanding experienced crews. Workers erected platforms above the tree buttresses, carved deep notches using double-bitted felling axes, and applied crosscut saws along with steel wedges to keep cuts from closing. After roughly one week, additional wedges were driven in to fell the tree. Due to the wood’s brittleness and risk of shattering upon impact, loggers prepared cushioned "felling beds" made from branches and leaves or timed felling during snowy winters when snow absorbed shocks. Trees exceeding diameter limits were segmented and blasted with black powder into manageable logs; however, this technique resulted in up to 80% wood wastage.

Logging Chutes

The logging technique at Converse Basin utilized log chutes—long, parallel logs supported by trestles on steep inclines—operated by donkey engines to move timber from the forest to the milling site. Logs typically measured between 10 and 24 feet in length and could reach diameters up to 10 feet. Trail riders communicated with hoist operators through bell signals to ensure the safe transport of logs. Although this system improved upon the slower ox cart method, it posed significant hazards, including the risk of logs falling or sparking fires. Transitioning from animal power to steam engines increased fuel usage and exacerbated environmental harm by burning leftover logging debris and underbrush, which impeded natural forest recovery.

Converse Hoist

To facilitate lumber transport from the Converse Basin mill up to Hoist Ridge's summit at 6,700 feet, the Sanger Lumber Company constructed an incline hoist. This device hauled railroad cars loaded with timber to the peak, where the cable was switched to the other end of the train. The lumber was then lowered down the slope toward Milwood’s railhead. From that point, a Shay locomotive pulled the train to Millwood, where the timber was dispatched via flume to Sanger.

Hume-Bennett Lumber Company

Established in 1905 by Thomas Hume and Ira B. Bennett, the Hume-Bennett Lumber Company acquired assets from Sanger Lumber Company. That same year, a fire devastated the Converse Basin sawmill; although it was rebuilt, it operated only for two years before logging there became financially impractical. Subsequently, the company shifted operations to a new location, founding the town of Hume and developing a logging facility that included Hume Lake.

To support expansion, they extended the Sequoia Railroad line to Hume Lake, introduced two Shay locomotives, and constructed a trestle spanning water for a new log dump. Additionally, they lengthened the flume by 17 miles—bringing its total length from Hume to Sanger to 73 miles—the longest log flume ever constructed. By June 1910, daily lumber output reached nearly 100,000 board feet.

The acquisition comprised 22,240 acres within Converse Basin; of these, 16,960 acres had been harvested while 5,280 acres still contained timber resources vital for ongoing operations.

Hume Lake

The Hume-Bennett Lumber Company commissioned John Samuel Eastwood to design and build a dam forming Hume Lake. Chinese American laborers executed construction using 2,207 cubic yards of concrete and eight miles of steel cable. Finished in November 1908 at an approximate cost of $35,000, this 677-foot multiple arch dam created an 87-acre reservoir by June 1909. The lake served as both a log dump and flume head for milling activities. Remarkably, this innovative dam remains in use today.

Bennett's Departure and Renaming

In late 1912, Ira B. Bennett sold his interest in the company and was succeeded by George Hume, son of Thomas Hume. That December, Bennett purchased rival Fresno Flume and Lumber Company for close to $950,000 but exited the lumber business entirely by 1914 due to financial setbacks. The company incorporated in February 1917, reverting first to the Sanger Lumber Company name before becoming known as Sanger Lumber Company of Michigan.

During the economic downturn of 1913-1914, Hume-Bennett redirected efforts toward harvesting giant sequoias again. This shift involved converting rail lines from narrow gauge to standard gauge and acquiring an additional 50 logging cars. By 1915, under George Hume’s leadership, operations expanded with a third Shay locomotive added and equipment inventory growing to three locomotives, seventy railroad cars, steam donkeys, loaders, and cranes. Employing around 1,500 workers in 1916 marked one of its most extensive logging seasons and demonstrated deliberate growth in both assets and workforce to strengthen market position.

Financial Difficulties and Company Dissolution

During 1917, the impact of World War I led to a 40% reduction in workforce and disrupted supply chains in the Sierra area. The destruction of the Hume Mill by fire caused significant financial setbacks. These cumulative challenges ultimately resulted in the Sanger Lumber Company ceasing operations in 1924 after enduring continuous losses.

Working Conditions

Logging was a perilous occupation with limited safety protocols and no workers' compensation available until 1913. Laborers endured long shifts for modest pay, frequently sustaining serious injuries from steel cables, machinery, and flume structures. While the company maintained a hospital to treat such injuries, medical care was occasionally insufficient. Key incidents include an improper treatment in 1894 that led to amputation, a 1914 injury caused by explosion debris which received disability compensation, and a fatal fall in 1914 that resulted in a death benefit payment.

Transfer to National Forest Service

Following a forest fire in 1926 that destroyed seven miles of log flume, George Hume liquidated company assets in 1927. On April 8, 1935, he sold the remaining properties—including the dam and 20,000 acres—to the U.S. National Forest Service, which incorporated the land into Sequoia National Forest.

Establishment of Hume Lake Christian Camps

On January 9, 1946, Walter Warkentin and associates purchased 320 acres near Hume Lake for $140,000. This acquisition included the hotel, store, gas station, post office, cottages, boats, and other amenities. The site was developed into Hume Lake Christian Camps, serving as a summer camp and conference center dedicated to worship and religious education.

Ecological Restoration Efforts

More than one hundred years after extensive logging activities, the forest remains significantly degraded. Attempts to rehabilitate it using monoculture conifer plantations have been unsuccessful, increasing susceptibility to pests and altering local water cycles. This has resulted in higher numbers of dead trees and dense fuel accumulations, escalating wildfire hazards and endangering old-growth sequoia ecosystems. In 2021, the U.S. Forest Service advocated for habitat restoration within Hume Basin through methods such as thinning, sanitation harvesting, mastication, and prescribed burns to reduce fuel loads and restore ecological balance. Controlled fire treatments commenced in February 2022 within Redwood Mountain and Big Stump sequoia groves after a century of fire suppression.

Locomotive Inventory

Road Number	Manufacturer	Engine Model	Wheel Diameter	Year Built	Serial Number	Weight	Boiler Pressure	Tractive Effort (lbs)	Remarks
1	Lima	2-truck Shay	28	1891	350	60,000 lb (27,000 kg)	160	14,450	Named "Sequoia," acquired new by Kings River Lumber Company; converted to standard gauge in 1914; sold off in 1929; eventually scrapped.
2	Lima	2-truck Shay	29	1911	2411	65,000 lb (29,000 kg)	160	14,450	Purchased new; converted to standard gauge in 1914; sold in 1929; boiler reused until mid-1930s; dismantled after 1945.
3	Lima	2-truck Shay	29	1916	2848	65,000 lb (29,000 kg)	160	14,450	New purchase (standard gauge); sold in 1929; possibly operated in the Philippines; final fate unknown.

Bibliography

• Bryant, Ralph Clement (1913). Logging: Principles and Common Operational Methods in the United States. New York: Wiley and Sons. First edition.
• Fry, Walter; White, John R. (1930). Big Trees. Palo Alto, California: Stanford University Press.
• Hartesveldt, Richard J.; Harvey, H. Thomas; Shellhammer, Howard S.; Stecker, Ronald E. (1975). The Giant Sequoia of the Sierra Nevada. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service.
• Johnston, Hank (1997). The Whistles Blow No More. Stauffer Publishing. Fifth edition. ISBN 0-87046-067-6.
• Johnston, Hank (2003). They Felled the Redwoods. Stauffer Publishing. Thirteenth edition. ISBN 0-87046-003-X.
• McGee, Lizzie (1952). Mills of the Sequoias. Visalia, California: Tulare County Historical Society. Historical Bulletin, March.

External links

• Felling the Giants Documentary
• Hume Lake Christian Camps
• Sanger Depot Museum
• United States Forest Service - Converse Basin Grove
• United States Forest Service - Hume Basin Restoration Project