Hidden in the Angelina National Forest sits the ruins of what was once one of the most productive saw mills in East Texas. Hal Aldridge moved his lumber business to this location between 1903 and 1907 after gaining access to an expanding railway, creating a town of his own namesake with over 1,000 residents. Just like many company towns, Aldridge was supported by local businesses, a hotel, and post office. Despite temporary closures due to destructive fires in 1911 and 1915, top production saw as much as 125,000 feet of lumber cut per day. The company finally decided to permanently close in 1920 when fewer trees were available and growth of other mills made operations less profitable.
The forest has reclaimed its home after a century and all that remains are a handful of large cement ruins covered in moss and graffiti. Deeper woods hide foundations of the former town with no structures left to tell tales of life in the early 20th century.
Visitors can get to Aldridge from a few different places. I only learned of the 2 easier methods after starting a hike from the Boykins Spring Stake Park. Late September in Texas is hot, which really took its toll throughout 1.75 miles of forest trails in each direction. Thankfully I had the luxury of returning to an air conditioned car. The heat and bugs still didn’t deter me from standing where ancestors of so much building material rebuilt their home where hundreds of men once worked and lived with their families.
