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 during the U.S. westward expansion. Founded by Pennsylvania lumbermen, MLM built the largest lumber mill in the country in the company town of Grandin, which peaked at a population of 3,000. The company played a crucial role in the local economy and technological advancements in timber processing. Although it abandoned Grandin around 1910 due to resource depletion, many of its historic buildings remain, recognized for their cultural significance and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, visitors can explore the remnants of this once-thriving community and learn about its impact on Missouri's development.