Rayonier and Container in Fernandina - A brief history and reflection

“This morning at 10 a.m. the announcement for the 7 million dollar pulp mill came out and the town went wild."    12/14/36                    

Mrs. O.H. Anderson

Submitted by Susan Hardee Steger

February 9, 2016 6:33 p.m.

My grandfather Ira William Hardee along with his brothers John and Noble opened a hardware store on Centre Street in 1900 and sold a somewhat odd combination of hardware and groceries. Eventually, John and Noble left the business to pursue other opportunities leaving my grandfather as the sole proprietor. Ira ran a successful business but tough times came during the Great Depression of the 1930’s. My grandfather, said to be a good, kind man, stopped selling groceries since he could no longer extend credit to families desperate for food, and he could not bear the thought of turning anyone away. The town of Fernandina suffered greatly.

In January 1936, the City of Fernandina hired O.H. Anderson to bring industry to town. Anderson, who happens to be the great-grandfather of Wes White, current candidate for State Attorney, 4th Judicial Circuit of Florida, was paid $300 a month to be the city clerk, auditor, and city manager. Anderson was sent to Fernandina by Seaboard Air Line Rail and according to city minutes, he was convinced “there is no better place to bring a pulp mill or other industries,” and two pulp mill businesses agreed. In 1937 and 1938, Container Corporation (Kraft Paper), and Rayonier began operations in Fernandina.

Anderson’s wife, Alberta Avant Anderson, captured the town's excitement over news that a mill was coming and recorded in her diary on December 14, 1936:

“This morning at 10 a.m. the announcement for the 7 million dollar pulp mill came out and the town went wild.” The next day she reported, “People calling over the phone and coming to see us so happy with mill announcement. We went to Judge Baker's home in evening to a celebration.”

Rayonier Driving wood piles 8-23-1937

Today as we spend millions to lure tourist to Amelia Island, it is hard to imagine that during construction of the mills, the city mayor appealed to the public through newspapers across the region to stay away from Fernandina. Available housing was earmarked for construction workers. According to a WPA Writers' Program book published in 1940 titled “Fernandina, Florida: A guide to the city and its industries,” the total amount of building permits issued in August, 1937 totaled $6,308,900. The population increased an estimated 45% between 1935 and 1937.

Rayonier Employees Working on beams 1939
Photo courtesy of Rayonier A.M.

My childhood would have been very different without the mills. They brought money to a town that had little. Our mills brought young families. They brought hard working people, well educated managers, chemists, and engineers. They provided needed tax revenue to improve and expand our educational facilities. They hired college-bound students for summer jobs and for years Rayonier gave four-year college scholarships to promising young students in need.

Rayonier Building Pulp Machine 1938
Photo courtesy of Rayonier A.M.

Many mill wives and at times husbands taught in our schools and helped educate students who went on to attend state universities, military academies, and top- tiered schools such as Princeton, MIT, Yale, and the University of Chicago. They became doctors, lawyers, engineers, professors, and even a Smithsonian Museum curator. This community (population 5,000 to 6,000 ) had for a small town excellent schools with graduates who made us proud.

Fast forward to the tragedy of 9/11. Perhaps we need a reminder. 9/11 was a rude awakening for our local economy, and it brought fear and uncertainty to this community. The economic impact was unexpected, and it happened overnight; so quickly. Merchants and restaurateurs on our now not-so- bustling Centre Street suffered as did the Ritz and Plantation. Jobs were lost, businesses were hurt, but our mills continued uninterrupted. As much as I appreciate what tourism brings to our local economy, I have come to realize that an economically diverse community is critical to our area’s financial stability.

When news broke of the potential partnership between Rayonier and LignoTech Florida which promises to bring 50 to 60 high paying jobs to our community and improve emission levels, I was excited and grateful. Having a new product developed on Rayonier A.M.’s site brings value to our community. Both companies will become more profitable, and I believe the partnership will extend the life of our soon-to-be 80-year old Rayonier A.M. mill.

During LignoTech’s presentation before the City Commission (click here for information), important questions were raised about the impact of the proposed partnership. On February 12, from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Rayonier A.M. will open its doors at the foot of Gum Street to allow the public to ask questions, receive product information, speak to the experts, and tour the facility. Closed- toe shoes are required on the tour. I plan to attend, question, extend a warm welcome to representatives, and thank and encourage both Rayonier A.M. and LignoTech Florida and our commissioners to seal the deal. I hope you will join me.

As community discussions continue, some may warn of the negative aspects of increased industrial activity. I will listen and learn, but I will focus most of my attention on the positive aspects of this partnership. You see, I can’t help but like the mills and support their efforts. In my lifetime they have given so much to a community I love.

Susan Hardee Steger is a sixth generation Fernandinian whose Davis and Mizell ancestors made a living from Nassau County’s vast pine forests as saw mill operators in Kings Ferry, Orange Bluff,  and Crandall, Florida.