Underground coal mines in the Pacific Northwest had large appetites for wood products due to the nature of local mining. Unlike Eastern coal mines of flat seams and rock ceilings, those in King and Pierce Counties typically mined coal with pitches from 25º to 90º. This meant coal was above the miner and needed to be secure from collapse. To keep mines safe elaborate timbering was undertaken requiring a steady stream of lumber. When digging underground tunnels miners placed posts and cross-beams in successive sets to hold up the roof of the mine. Rough cut lagging (i.e. planks) were placed between timber sets providing a safe canopy overhead.
This sawmill, owned by Pacific Coast Coal Company was located west of the current-day Black Diamond Community Center. It was adjacent to the Pacific Coast Railroad not far from where the rail line crossed Roberts Drive. The remnant of that original trestle, a large concrete wall is still visible adjacent to the pond providing water for coal washing operations. The hoppers in this June 3, 1949 photo by the King County Assessor were used for the load out of sawdust produced by milling operations. A man with the initials I.G. was the mill foreman. According to Assessor records this structure was built in 1947. Image enhancements were provided by Nick Haney, a commercial photographer from Lake Forest Park.
