In the early 1900's many logs were transported to the mills by steam locomotives, such as the Shay shown in this scene. The Shay was a gear-driven "lokie" and was used extensively in those early years in the woods. This Shay is approaching the log dump and the bow log where the railroad cars will be relieved of their loads before returning to the woods for the next load of logs.

In those years the mill and woods crews lived near their work. Simple houses were built as depicted here withing walking distance of the mill. Nearly everything was operated by steam power. It took a lot of skilled and muscular men to do the dangerous work required of them.