The Papermakers

Who are the people behind Oregon's industrial revolution at Willamette Falls? The book is an honest and engaging narrative that explains the birth, growth, and possible future of one of the State's oldest and most important manufacturing industries. Through personal stories of Oregon City and West Linn paper mill workers and wondrous photographs, the reader learns about the industry's inspiring, funny, and sometimes controversial past. The entertaining saga begins with the much-ballyhooed opening of Oregon Trail pioneer W.W. Buck's first Oregon paper mill in 1867. The Clackamas Paper Company, near the mouth of one of Willamette River's major tributaries, continues Oregon City papermaking for fourteen years with the help of Portland businessman, H.L. Pittock. Industrial papermaking comes to the west bank of Willamette Falls in 1890, becoming part of America's second largest paper company in 1928. The West Linn Paper Company continues its proud heritage today.