Cave Junction, Ore. — A Josephine County lumber company has shut its doors after nearly 100 years in business. Now, everything is up for auction.
Since the early 1900’s, Rough and Ready has been using equipment like this for logging. Now, it’s auctioning off anything and everything. For one employee, it’s hard to see it all go.
Lonnie Adams has been an employee at rough and ready for more than 35 years.
“I was a planerman. I loaded, unloaded log trucks,” Adams said.
Today, he watched as all the equipment he worked on is auctioned off.
“It’s just a sad thing, seeing everything,” Adams said.
He said the worst part of the mill closing is losing job opportunity in Cave Junction.
“I can’t believe it, you know? There ain’t much opportunity here in cave junction. You’ve got to travel, if you want a job,” Adams said.
75 people are out of a job as a result of the closure.
“That’s a lot of people for Cave Junction. We’re a big outfit,” Adams said.
While losing the mill is a blow to the community, it’s an even bigger hit for the employees who relied on the company.
“Having a good job and having money and living comfortably. And now, it’s going to change now,”Adams said.
The loss doesn’t stop at employees, it impacts the whole logging community.
“All this forest around here, it’s close. So now, anybody that logs around here. They’ve got to take it to Brookings,” Adams said.
For now, Adams will watch the life he built, be dismantled, and remember the good times.
“It’s the best job in this town,” Adams said.
Rolling equipment already sold out. However, the auction continues on Thursday.
Rough and Ready said everything must go and anyone is welcome to come and bid.
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