Tippecanoe Stave Mill

In the early 1900’s A.W. Barnett owned the Tippecanoe Stave Mill at Beardstown, a couple of miles south of the Starke County line. After a few years, he decided to move his business to Starke County.  Needing affordable transportation, he first looked in the North Judson area, which had four rail lines.  However, he could get more desirable freight rates at English Lake.  

By May, 1907, the business was being moved to English Lake.  The factory was there for several years, employing about 20 people in early 1912. A. W. and his son, Harry, expanded the business later that year, building a stave and hoop factory near Tefft. The next year (1913) they had added a saw mill near Wilder and were considering building another stave and hoop factory near Baum’s Bridge. Whether they did or not, we do not know.

As an FYI, staves were the narrow strips of wood used to make the sides of wooden barrels.  Barrels were vital for the transportation of goods prior to today's waterproof plastic containers and boxes.