Dorris Lumber and Moulding Company 100 Year Anniversary

The Butte Valley Historical Society & Museum will be hosting a Centennial celebration of the Mill on Saturday Sept. 21 from 10-4.  Light refreshments will be served during that time.  This anniversary will also provide the community with an opportunity for a public preview (soft opening) of the museum.

As a part of this celebration, there will be a large 15ft. diorama displayed, which includes a model of the mill and other nearby buildings. The layout is an O scale 1/48 depiction of Dorris, that John Olson has been working on for the last 5 years.

The mill was started by John Olson and 2 of his brothers Bob and Vic after buying an existing hardware store and small lumber yard in 1924.  The Olson brothers were Swedish emigrants that came to Minnesota in the late 1900’s to work at the Red River Lumber Company.  When the timber ran out in that area, they moved to another RRL Co. sawmill in Westwood CA and worked there prior to coming to Dorris.

Over time, they shut down the hardware store and focused on growing the wood moulding business.  You can find more specifics about the company on their website.