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 booming construction industry during 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 until the timber resources were depleted, leading to the town's decline around 1910. Today, many of Grandin's historic buildings are preserved and recognized for their cultural significance, making it an interesting site for tourists and researchers interested in industrial history and the development of the American Midwest.