The James McNiece Austin fonds consists of records documenting the founding and subsequent history of Austin Nicholson Lumber Company and the various communities where it operated, as well as Austin’s own professional career. It also contains records of individuals that worked for the company.
Legal documents regarding land titles, contracts and correspondence with the CPR, and financial records provide insights into the company, and many photographs illustrate the facilities and equipment of the company at its different locations. A 2010 research paper on the presence of the company in Alberta sheds light on Austin’s western operations.
There are also newspaper clippings, articles, photographs and publications regarding the different communities where the Austin Nicholson Lumber Company had mills. As well, documentation on Sultan, Dalton Mill, Chapleau, the first settlers’ families, and the history of the Austin Nicholson logging company can be found in the fonds.
Some documents and articles relating to Eddy Forest products and its history are also included in the fonds, as well as personal documents and correspondence of George Natsuik, former employee.
This fonds has been divided into two series: Series I: Business Records; Series II: Personal Records.
Austin, James