As late as the 1920s there were still many huge, old growth trees in the area east of Redmond and logging was dominated by the Siler Logging Company. Felled trees were taken north by means of a specially-built 25-mile railroad that ran from Ames Lake to Bromart, just south of Snohomish.

Logging and railroad historian Eric Erickson will explore the Siler operations in detail at 10:30 a.m. on March 8 at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center, 16600 N.E. 80th St. He is speaking as part of the Redmond Historical Society Saturday Speaker Series.

“Logging — and its related sawmilling — was the largest industry on the Eastside from the mid 1880s until the end of World War II,” according to Erickson. “Over 3,000 logging and milling companies operated in the area during this time. The Siler Logging Company was a midsized operation in King and Snohomish Counties.”

Erickson will present a slide show featuring the building of the Siler Logging railroad as well as a discussion of the types of railroad and logging equipment in use by Siler crews.  He will also touch on Harry O. Siler’s business relationship with Weyerhaeuser Timber Company and Port Blakely Mill Company.

Erickson is a native of Issaquah and is the author of “Lumber Businesses and Mills King County 1853-2001.” He is a past president of Issaquah History Museums, past board member of Association of King County Historical Organizations and a member of the Hoo-Hoo’s International Organization of the Forest Products Industry.

The Saturday Speaker Series is a monthly program presented by the Redmond Historical Society on every second Saturday (with the exception of December). Topics range from local, state and Pacific Northwest historical interest. There is a suggested $5 donation for non-members.

The Redmond Historical Society is a 501 (3)(c) nonprofit organization that receives support from the City of Redmond, 4 Culture, Nintendo, the Bellevue Collection and Humanities Washington as well as from other donors and members.