The Dorchester Beacon, October 26, 1907
The A. T. Sterans Lumber Co.
One of the Greater Boston’s Largest and Busiest Industrial Establishments—Started Nearly Sixty Years Ago.
One of the most important of the industries of Dorchester and the largest and most important of its kind in the New England states is the A. T. Stearns Lumber Company, whose main plant is situated in Neponset. The history of the growth of this great enterprise is closely linked with the progress and advancement of the Dorchester district, its beginning dating back even beyond the middle of the last century. In 1894, about the time of the reports of the discovery of gold in California, A. T. Stearns began the lumber business on the same site now occupied by the company, which is the outgrowth of only a small beginning. The concern occupies 15 acres of land beyond Taylor Street and fronting on the Neponset River, with a large wharf, planning mill and other buildings up9on it., all fully equipped with the most modern and approved machinery known to the business of woodworking. Five engines, aggregating 600 horse power, are mage use of to operate the woks, and a small army, numbering 250 men is there employed, while 35 teams of horses are in daily use in haling lumber and doing other work connected with the establishment. More than 10,000,000 feet of lumber are stored in the years, a quantity which is doubtless more than tha6t carried on in any yard in the eastern states. The concern was conducted along the lines its originator, Mr. Stearns, laid down, until 1883, when it was incorporated, so that its enormous volume of business might be more easily handled. F. M. Stearns is the president and J. F. Dunbar is the secretary and treasurer of the company. A branch office and exhibit are maintained at No. 166 Devonshire Street and No. 19 Federal Street, Boston, and the Haymarket Square sales room is established at No. Sudbury Street, corner of Merrimac Street, Boston. This company was the first to introduce southern wood into New England, thus being wholly responsible for the founding of an immense industry. It is due to the efforts of this company that Florida cypress became known in this latitude. The southern country has been from its earliest days the great source of supply of this company, and at the present time, there are millions of feet of lumber stored in the yards of the concern in the south awaiting shipment to the north. Twice has the Neponset plant of the company been burned to the ground, but now its planning mill is thoroughly equipped with modern fireproof appliances to withstand any attack of flames. The mechanical equipment of the various departments of the company is the best which experience and money can produce, and every device known to modern woodworking for planing, sawing and shaping mouldings is installed in the works. “Everything in wood or woodwork” is the comprehensive motto of the company inscribed on its seal, and this concise announcement of the purposes of the concern tells the whole story in a nutshell.
The people of the whole of Dorchester district take a personal pride in the operations of this vast industrial enterprise and recognize the incalculable service it has rendered in adding materially to its prosperity and commercial importance and advancement. As an employer of skilled labor, it ranks among the first in this part of the world, for it furnishes the means of livelihood to the families of its 250 hands, while it indirectly extends its influence far beyond the territory in which it is located. The men at the head of this company are among the leading manufacturers in New England and are of the highest character and attainments. They are deeply concerned n the welfare of the men whom they employ and never lose an opportunity to better their condition or to give them substantial assistance in times of sickness and adversity.