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. Founded by Pennsylvania lumbermen, MLM built the largest lumber mill in the U.S. 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 until the depletion of timber resources forced its closure around 1910. Today, many of Grandin's historic buildings are preserved and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, making it a point of interest for tourists and researchers exploring Missouri's industrial history.