Steam Powered "Groundhog" Sawmill

This steam engine is typical of many engines used as portable power plants from their introduction in 1847 through the 1930s. Built by the Geiser Manufacturing Company of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, in 1908, it was the company's model "P," the largest portable engine Geiser ever made. Only 82 such engines were built, and this one is the only known survivor. It was restored to operating condition in 1970 and is capable of running the attached sawmill today. The sawmill attached to the steam engine is a movable sawmill made in Chattanooga, Tennessee, by the Corley Manufacturing Company and commonly called a groundhog mill. Together, the steam engine and sawmill represent a small country steam sawmill typical in America during the last half of the 19th century and the first quarter of the 20th century. The sawmill was last owned and operated by the Varisco Brothers of Hammond, Louisiana.

Louisiana · United States