Johnson Lumber and Log Homes is a family-owned business nestled in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains between Carthage and Deer River in New York State.  Every bit of the raw product is fully utilized in the production of lumber, log cabin logs and mulch. Because everything is produced right here, we are able to pass down great quality and lower prices to you. 

The History of Johnson Lumber

The first sawmill was located on Johnny Cake road where Ron and Robert started with one employee. Top production at that time was about 3,000 board feet (bf) per day and some of the products produced were pallets and hay wagons. All the lumber produced then was green, there were no drying kilns at that time and all sawing was done with a circular saw.

In 1980 the business was moved to the site on route 26 just outside of Carthage where production jumped to 7,000 (bf) per day with a total of four employees.

In 1984 the brothers created Johnson Log Homes which created another outlet for their products as well as boosting employment at the mill and in the construction division.  Over 300 log homes have since been built.

From 1985 to 1988 the brothers ran a logging operation to supply the mill with their own logs. This practice was discontinued to focus on their primary business, the sawmill operations.

 1987 marked the addition of the first dry kiln and planer which opened up new markets for the business. In that year employment went up to eight employees. At this time the old mill was torn down and kiln #2 was built on that site at the same time a new mill (40' x 180') was constructed. Production went to 16,000 bf per day, employment went to fourteen employees.

On October 14th 1994 at 4:00 pm, the sawmill caught fire and was completely destroyed.  Ron and Robert  made the decision to rebuild the mill and continue the business.

On January 16th 1995, construction started on the new mill and the installation of a new wood burning boiler. Production started at the newly rebuilt mill on May 1, 1995. Production at that time was 20,000 bf per day.

From 1996-1997 two more kilns were added and production grew from 26,000 to 35,000 board feet per day and employment increased to 25 employees.

In 1999 the front 3 acres of the yard were paved and in 2000 they began manufacturing mulch.  At this point they employed 40 people.

In 2003, 2 new 50,000 bd ft dry kilns were added that will not only decrease the drying process by three days but substantially increase the production.  A new molder was installed for premium and finished grade specialty items.  Also purchased was a new Peterbilt tractor to haul the 3 new trailers.  A tarp side trailer was purchased for delivering lumber, a log trailer for hauling in logs and a live bottom trailer used for delivering their own mulch.

Production is now averaging 45,000 bf per day with the help of their over 50 employees.  Over 200 retail yards are serviced with their fine pine products in New York state alone and 45% of the lumber is being sold nationwide.  Since the company has moved toward mulch production rather than wood chip production, the mulch has grown to an astonishing 10% of the total business.  The mulch is sold to many garden centers and landscape companies.

Since 1977 the goal has always been to make the business bigger and better, to explore new avenues and markets, not to be afraid of changes and to always look to the future.

The Johnson Brothers present tours to individuals, schools and clubs.  They strive to educate the public and our children of tomorrow with their forestry management program.  This program along with the certified forester's, will insure the forest harvests every 10 years.  It is a great way to see the lumber industry at work and learn how the saw mill will be here for generations to come.

Schedule your tour appointment by calling the office.  Robert and Ron acknowledge that their employees are the key to their future.