J.H. Rodbourn & Co.

Lumber was one of the area’s biggest industries. James H. Rodbourn came to Erin in 1865. Two years later he built a large sawmill and the town’s first general store. The sawmill burned in 1881 but he rebuilt it the same year. His older brother, Joseph, was also involved in the lumber business. He had built a sawmill in Breesport in 1857. When Joseph died, James took over all operations and moved the headquarters to Erin. In 1905, James passed away and his sons, Joseph E. and Charles, took over the business. They dismantled the sawmill in 1912 and sold the general store in 1938.

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Erin

Rodbourn sawmill, c. 1890s The Rodbourn sawmill produced bridge timbers and railroad ties. J.H. Rodbourn & Co. also made fence posts, crates, shingles, ten pins, and handles for kitchen utensils.
Rodbourn house James H. Rodbourn moved into his newly-built home in Erin in 1880. The mansion had 24 rooms, a glass conservatory, bathrooms on each floor, and five fireplaces made with Italian marble. The family occupied the house until 1938. It was later converted into apartments and was destroyed by fire in 1948. (courtesy of the Erin Historical Society)
Fence post, c. 1890s Rodbourn sawmill specialized in fence posts made from white pine. They sold at $8 for 1,000 posts. (from the collection of the Erin Historical Society)
Wooden crate, 1890s This sample of the Kendall patented vegetable crate was made by the Rodbourn Mfg. Co. (from the collection of the Erin Historical Society)
Shipping box, c. 1900 This box was made by the Rodbourn Mfg. Co. and sold to a merchant in Boston. It then came back to the Rodbourn store in Erin with a shipment of coffee. (from the collection of the Erin Historical Society)
Erin railroad station, c. 1908 James and Joseph Rodbourn, along with Ezra Cornell, were instrumental in bringing the Utica, Ithaca and Elmira Railroad to Erin. The first car over the new line in 1874 was loaded with lumber from the Rodbourn sawmill. In 1938, the line was closed. (courtesy of the Erin Historical Society)
Railroad lanter, late 19th century This railroad caboose lantern was used on the Utica, Ithaca & Elmira Railroad. (from the collection of the Erin Historical Society)

J.H. Rodbourn & Co.

Rodbourn sawmill, c. 1890s

The Rodbourn sawmill produced bridge timbers and railroad ties. J.H. Rodbourn & Co. also made fence posts, crates, shingles, ten pins, and handles for kitchen utensils.

Rodbourn house

Fence post, c. 1890s

Rodbourn sawmill specialized in fence posts made from white pine. They sold at $8 for 1,000 posts. (from the collection of the Erin Historical Society)

Wooden crate, 1890s

This sample of the Kendall patented vegetable crate was made by the Rodbourn Mfg. Co. (from the collection of the Erin Historical Society)

Shipping box, c. 1900

This box was made by the Rodbourn Mfg. Co. and sold to a merchant in Boston. It then came back to the Rodbourn store in Erin with a shipment of coffee. (from the collection of the Erin Historical Society)

Erin railroad station, c. 1908

James and Joseph Rodbourn, along with Ezra Cornell, were instrumental in bringing the Utica, Ithaca and Elmira Railroad to Erin. The first car over the new line in 1874 was loaded with lumber from the Rodbourn sawmill. In 1938, the line was closed. (courtesy of the Erin Historical Society)

Railroad lanter, late 19th century

This railroad caboose lantern was used on the Utica, Ithaca & Elmira Railroad. (from the collection of the Erin Historical Society)