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 town of Grandin around its operations, which became home to up to 3,000 residents and housed the largest lumber mill in the U.S. at the time. The company played a crucial role in the economic development of the Missouri Ozarks, but as timber resources dwindled, it abandoned Grandin by 1910. Today, many of the remaining buildings in Grandin are recognized for their historical significance, making it an interesting site for tourists and researchers interested in industrial history and the evolution of timber industries in America.