Isaakson’s Sawmill, Redmond, Washington

Isaakson’s Sawmill

 

Duane Isaakson, Isaakson’s Sawmill Owner-Operator

October 19th, 2013 – In unincorporated King County, eight miles east of Redmond, Washington, along State Route 202 (Redmond-Fall City Road) there exists a sawmill that has been in existence at this location since 1936. This sawmill was established by Henry Isaacson, a log truck driver, businessman, and opportunist. Isaakson’s mill is still in operation today, owned and operated by his son, Duane Isaakson. Duane lives on his father’s original estate above the mill with his wife Joanne. You can often see smoke coming out of the stacks at the mill when driving by on 202.

Duane Isaakson with Sawblade

 

Isaakson’s Sawmill was established in the 1930’s. It thrived during World War II as larger mills were tied up with the war effort. Commerce still went on for local people wanting to build homes so upon Isaakson’s Sawmill they relied for lumber. During this period locals burned sawdust from the mill as a substitute for oil and coal which were hard to obtain and very expensive if these commodities were even available.

 

Isaakson’s mill expanded after another area mill burned in a fire, and a planer was salvaged by Isaacson from the destroyed mill. This planer was one of the larger ones in the area. It gave them the capability to smooth and cut grooves into lumber thereby refining their lumber further for building quality.

Isaakson’ Sawmill Lumber Milling

 

This last weekend I, with several other members of a local church, toured Isaakson’s Sawmill with Duane Isaakson as host. Duane, in his 70’s, not only enriched us with his knowledge of area history and specific history about his now deceased fathers’ mill, but he surprised us by firing up the diesels and began milling logs during our tour. He cut a log into lumber and milled some of the lumber with the planer. It was exciting to hear the buzzing of the saws and to see the sawdust spewing out the backsides each of the two sheds that house the operations. Duane does not do this just for sport – he has customers, one who pulled in to pick up his order while we were there.

 

Isaakson’s Sawmill, Planer Building

 

Information Sources: The Sammamish Heritage Society and Duane Isaacson.