Section 3: Timber

Immense Piles of Cordwood

From the 18th through the early 20th centuries, cordwood and other timber products were shipped from Coal Landing to northern markets, primarily in Alexandria, Baltimore, Washington, and Philadelphia. Wood cut from the surrounding countryside was hauled to the cliffs overlooking Coal Landing. The logs were pushed over the cliff edge where they fell in massive heaps along the shoreline.” “To the southeast of the stone wharf at Coal Landing shear bluffs rise sharply from the creek. Immense piles of cordwood awaiting transport were often stacked as high as the top of the bluff.

Thirty to forty cords of wood were shipped daily, and it was normal to see up to 2,000 cords stacked near the wharf awaiting shipment. Also stacked here for shipment were thousands of railroad ties, hand-hewn by local residents. From here they were loaded on three-masted schooners, specially designed longboats, and barges. These boats frequently tied up at Coal Landing's stone and wooden wharves.

Lumber and cordwood were produced at a number of local sawmills. From 1898-1900 “two million feet of lumber had been sawed and shipped to Washington [from Stafford]. Sawed lumber, railroad ties and cord wood is Stafford’s main traffic.” [Fredericksburg Daily Star, Dec. 5, 1900. - Eby, p. 269]