McLean Mill National Historic Site
McLean mill was operated by R.B. McLean and his three sons from 1926 to 1965. The original plot of land was purchased by Robert Bartlett (“R.B.”) McLean, and he moved there with his wife Cora, and his three sons Arnold, Philip, and Walter.
The business was eventually taken over by Arnold, who then passed on the business to his son Howard McLean, who ran it until its closing in 1965. One of the main reasons for its closing was competition from the larger lumber companies in the area.
McLean Mill was named a National Historic Site in 1989 to commemorate the history of logging and saw milling in British Columbia. The mill is typical of the remote coastal lumber camp and sawmill complex from the middle of the last century.
Since 1995 the site has been restored with funds from Heritage Canada, Forest Renewal BC, the BC Heritage Trust, BC Community Futures, the Regional District of Alberni-Clayoquot and the City of Port Alberni. MacMillan Bloedel donated the land.
The sawmill has been rebuilt to operate as it did in 1965, including a replica of a 1928 log carriage, and today, McLean mill is the only commercial steam-operated sawmill in Canada.