Missouri Lumber and Mining Company

The Missouri Lumber and Mining Company (MLM) was a significant timber corporation established in the late 19th century in southeast Missouri, primarily to exploit the region's abundant timber resources for the growing construction demands of westward expansion in the United States. Founded by Pennsylvania lumbermen, MLM built the town of Grandin around its operations, which became home to up to 3,000 residents and housed the largest lumber mill in the country at its peak. The company faced challenges as timber resources dwindled, leading to the abandonment of Grandin by 1910, although it continued operations elsewhere for several years. Today, remnants of Grandin are recognized for their historical significance, with many buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, making it an interesting site for tourists and researchers interested in industrial history and the development of the American Midwest.