Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

Western Carolina University (20) View all

American log loader

  • wcu_canton-2052.jpg
  • Champion Fibre Company began operations in the planned logging community of Sunburst in 1907. In 1911 Sunburst moved 4 miles downstream and renamed the upstream site Spruce, currently known as the Sunburst Campground. In November, 1925, after a dry summer, a major fire depleted the forest. Sunburst remained in production until September 15, 1926. In the following years, the logging camp was removed, the West Fork of the Pigeon River was dammed and Lake Logan was created. This photograph shows an American log loader with its stationary-style boom. On the side is written W. M. Ritter lumber company. Several loaders were lost in the 1925 fire.