Historical information

This photograph depicts a sawmill in Emerald operated by the Legg family - most likely by James Henry Legg (1860-1940) and his son Percy (1893-1968), who operated the mill business. They established 'spot mills' - smaller or temporary mills establish on the location of timber harvesting - around the local area, including at least this one and one in Macclesfield - though it is possible the caption is wrong and this IS the mill in Macclesfield.

There are at least two other copies of this photograph in our collection.

Significance

This image depicts a notable local business from the early 20th century, owned by a significant local family.

Physical description

This item is a modern printed copy of a black and white photograph. It depicts an open-walled wooden structure, with a closed roof held up by posts. Behind the main structure is a smaller structure covering a machine with steam flowing out of its chimney - a mechanical component of the mill, making the work of processing timber easier. To the left of the image, several unprocessed logs sit on the ground, while to the right is a pile of processed, cut, timber. Several workers - may five - are in frame, all standing near or under the wooden structure. In the background, dense trees rise above the structure, rising high enough to leave the frame. The reverse of the photograph reveals logos for a modern photograph paper brand and a handwritten accession number, but no other annotation.

Inscriptions & markings

Obverse, Caption: "Legg's Sawmill Emerald"