A Day With a Forest Industry Photograph Album, June 15, 1953

The Simpson Logging Company was incorporated in 1895 by Sol Simpson with the backing of a group of investors. The Simpson Logging Company soon became one of the major businesses of Mason and Grays Harbor counties. By 1898, the company was operating eight logging camps, 80 miles of railroad, and had a daily production capacity of half a million board feet.

Sol Simpson, and Simpson Logging Company, were the first to use horsepower in logging, as well as mechanical "horsepower" at the logging site in the form of a "Walking Dudley" -- a donkey engine and large wheel on a moveable car used for mechanizing production. Sol Simpson was also one of the first to take the long-term view of the timber industry. Unlike other operators, he held on to his cutover land to harvest it again. He died in 1906 and after his death, his son-in-law, Mark Reed, and another businessman bought out the other shareholders of Simpson Logging Company.

The Simpson Logging Company, now the Simpson Investment Company, remains the oldest continuously operated forest products company in the Pacific Northwest and continues to be managed by the descendents of its original founder. During the 85th American Insitute of Architects (AIA) Annual Convention, held in Seattle, Washington, from June 15-19th, 1953, AIA attendees visited the Simpson Logging Company facility in Mason County.