1910: Logging Operation of Norwich Virgin Timber

photo credit: Potter County HIstorical Society Collection

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New Lumber Town
To Be Located Near Smethport by Goodyear Lumber Company.
Potter County Journal, Oct. 1, 1909
(Mckean Co. Miner)
It is understand that it is an assured fact that the Goodyear Lumber Co., will start cutting and bark peeling next spring at the head of Potato Creek in Norwich township, about 12 miles from Smethport, on the hugh tract of timber which they own at that point.  It has been an annual and unvindicated report that the company was to start cutting on this tract for several years past, but this one seems to be a go.

This is probably the largest tract of virgin timber in the State of Pennsylvania and consists of in the neighborhood of 30,000 acres in McKean, Cameron and Elk counties.  It has been a sportsman's paradise deer, bear, other small game and fine trout streams being abundant and is a spot truly in the primitive.  Its demolishment seems to be a pity as it should have been secured by the State for a preserve.  The State of Pennsylvania is unsentimental in regards to such things and this beautiful spot of nature must succumb to the hand of man,

To further the work the Buffalo & Susquehanna R.R. is being extended through from Liberty to the scene of future activities and as soon as this is done next spring work will begin in earnest and the ring of the woodsman's axe will be a familiar sound in that quiet region.

Cutting and peeling will be stared in the woods surrounding the new town and the products will be taken to the big Goodyear mill at Austin, Pa., by railroad, where it will be sawed up -- all other products from this tract will also be manufactured at Austin it is understood.

As the scene of activities moves away from the town the railroad will be extended out but the town will continue to be headquarters.

The job will consume at least ten years in the cutting and chances are that the new place will become a permanent town.
take tracks to view cut lumberview virgin timber before it was cut
 


Last of The Virgin Timber in McKean County
1930
A 400 acre tract of virgin timber made up mostly of stately pines and hemlocks and situated some distance above Norwich is rapidly being laid low by woodman's axes, cut into suitable lengths at a saw mill at Fiddler's Green and conveyed from there to Smethport by two mondern trucks, where it is sold to the Holmes & Gilfillam lumber Company.  They also bring out bar, pulpwood and chemical wood.

The cutting of this tract, the last of its kind in McKean county, recalls the busy days of Norwich in years gone by that town was a thriving business center, its activities all centering around the task of clearing that vast tract of virgin timber surrounding it.  Now, scarcely a trace remains of this once busy tow.  Trailing vines and wild growth of all kinds have covered the spots where once stood homes and business places.  Norwich exists only in memory.