Sawmill

When the Saints in Kirtland, Ohio, were commanded to build a temple, they had few resources. One way they resolved this issue was by building a sawmill so they could quickly produce lumber to use in the temple’s construction. In 1833, a sawmill was built in the Kirtland Flats just south of the Newel K. Whitney Store. Sixteen acres of old-growth forest were also purchased to harvest for lumber. Joel H. Johnson, a convert and millwright, was put in charge of the mill.

Lumber from the sawmill was used for the roof, gables, and tower of the Kirtland Temple. The priesthood pulpits were likely assembled in the woodshop at the sawmill before being installed in the temple. Carpenters used a water-powered plane available at the sawmill to cut intricate moldings found in the woodwork on the temple. Many of the men who worked in the sawmill donated their time and labor to the temple construction project. After the temple’s completion, the sawmill was used to help generate income to pay off the debt incurred from the construction project.

The sawmill in Historic Kirtland is a fully functional replica built in the location of the original. For safety reasons, we do not operate the mill. Visitors to Historic Kirtland may visit the mill as an optional stop on their tour. Tours begin in the Historic Kirtland Visitors’ Center.

360° Walkthrough

What to Expect

The sawmill is an optional part of the guided tour offered by missionaries at Historic Kirtland. The short path (0.1 miles) leading to the sawmill and ashery is moderately sloped and covered in wood chips. Occasional tree roots, uneven terrain, and other tripping hazards may make the walk challenging for visitors with mobility limitations.