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 demand during 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 in population at around 3,000. The company played a crucial role in the local economy and technological advancement until it abandoned Grandin around 1910 due to resource depletion. Today, many of the remaining historic buildings in Grandin are recognized for their historical significance, making it an interesting site for tourists and researchers interested in industrial history and the development of the American Midwest.