Elgin Vale Sawmill

The 1927 sawmill complex established by Harry Spencer is located at 2842 Manumbar Road. The mill symbolises the significant timber industry in the South Burnett region from the 1870s. It was taken over by Maryborough sawmill owners Wilson and Hart by the end of 1927, although Spencer continued to supply timber. The mill produced butter boxes through to the early 1930s, and during the war years, Elgin Vale sawn timber was sent to Maryborough to be made into ammunition boxes. After the mill burnt down in 1944, the current large open sawmill shed was built; set up in a typical layout for steam driven softwood mills, with the waste timber used to fire the boilers. The site also included barracks for single men, married men’s cottages and a school for the employees’ children. The school remained operational until 1977 and was later adapted to a QCWA meeting room. Electricity was connected in 1965, but was only used for lighting. The mill continued to operate until 1987. Today, it is managed by the local council as a museum and offers tourists an insight into the operations of a steam driven mill, rarely seen these days.