By Stephen Smoot
“Lumber production is destined to rise in Pendleton County as a result of a new band sawmill which went into operation near Riverton last week.”
That sentence opened an article published in the Pendleton Times on Dec. 13, 1973. It applies just as well to the same publication’s April 3, 2025, edition as well. Last week, dignitaries from Pendleton and Grant counties gathered to celebrate the opening of operations by Riverton Lumber Products, LLC.
Thomas and Patrick Evelyn, two Virginia businessmen, purchased the facility, which had been the original operation for the now defunct Allegheny Wood Products. They have owned sawmills in Virginia, but have recently expanded their footprint into the Mountain State, also purchasing Kessel Lumber near Keyser in Mineral County.
Patrick Evelyn shared that one of the most convincing reasons to reopen the Riverton mill lay in the reputation of the Pendleton County workforce. “You have good, hardworking people here in Pendleton County,” he praised, then added “some of the hardest working people in the country.”
Riverton Lumber Products, LLC’s Mark Redman, who coordinates the transport of materials and finished products, praised Gerald Sites for playing a key role in ensuring that the mill’s operations were re-established and provided the right start for long-term success.
Redman said that he approached Sites “to get the ball rolling” and that “he’s done nothing but help us since then.”
Sites took pride in his role in restoring the mill to operation, saying “There’s always been a sawmill here. I’m from Pendleton County. I’ve done everything I can to get them up and running . . . I’m from Pendleton County. I have my roots in Pendleton County.”
That role includes working closely with George Ford, president of Grant County Bank. Sites stated that “he really stepped up to the plate.”
Ford added that “we want to see this county prosper. It’s good to see it back, good for the region, good for the businesses in this area.”
One business that has reaped immediate benefit has been nearby Hinkle Trucking. Said Gary Hinkle of the expected business, “It’s going to be a lot.”
The original mill churned out 20,000 board feet per day of lumber with a workforce of 25. Currently, the mill produces 30,000 board feet per day, according to the facility manager Daniel Kessel. He added that “they would like to see 45,000 feet,” but stated that “if you get more than that, you sacrifice quality and run into safety issues. We don’t want that.”
A major asset to operations comes in the fact that many who signed on to work had already worked on site under previous ownership. In a number of cases, multiple generations from the same families supported their households with paychecks from this mill.
Now they have the chance to do so again.
Patrick Evelyn stated that he hopes “to put another shift on” which would provide jobs for “another 25 guys.”
Charles Wilfong, director of the West Virginia Farm Bureau and a Pocahontas County resident, was on site and described the ripple effect for suppliers. “It’s about the same here as in Pocahontas County,” said Wilfong, who went on to add that “one-third to one-half of a given farm is timber land.”
He explained that farmers in such areas develop financial strategies based on resources available, sharing that “you pay your bills with farm income and the extras can come from timber.”
Angel Rasel, the chief financial officer of the company, added that “we’re shipping about everything we’re making to somewhere in West Virginia.” She went on to states that the company has “put a lot of loggers back to work” and also has conducted business with area machinists, welders, and more.
Carl Hevener, Jimmie Bennett, and Roger Dahmer, all Pendleton County commissioners, attended to show their support.
Bennett said, “It gives loggers a place to sell their logs locally. It’s good for local people.”
“I’m glad it’s back,” said Hevener. “It helps out the economy and families on the North Fork.”
