Fredin’s Sawmill
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Fredin’s Sawmill
Timber Legacy Begins in Woodford
In 1910, Swedish-born engineer Anders Anderson Fredin brought his skills and ambition to Woodford, establishing a sawmill on the banks of One Mile Creek. Operating for more than a decade, Fredin’s first mill helped shape the early timber industry in the region before it was lost to fire in 1922. What followed was a legacy that would extend across the creek and continue for decades.
Mick & Cheryl Duggan (nee Fredin)
From Mick & Cheryl Duggan (nee Fredin)
Anders Fredin (Jolly) was born on the 25.12.1872, in Satila Sweden, the second son of Anders Jakobson and Johanna Jakobson. He had a brother Johannes (1870) and a sister Emma (1877). He was educucated in Sweden, and later gained his engineering degree in Lapland. He and his brother both served in the Swedish army for a time. Both being rather outspoken on political matters, they were both advised to leave Sweden. Perhaps there was an ‘or else’ in there and as they didn’t like the ‘or else’ they both left.
Pioneering Journey and Family Roots
Johannes migrated to Minnesota USA and became very successful in the raspberry farming industry. Anders migrated to Australia and was quite successful in the timber industry. Somewhere about this time he dumped his surname and adopted the name Fredin. Only he can answer the question of origin.
Anders first job in Australia was construction a road from the coast to Chillagoe in North Queensland.
He then found his way to the Caboolture and Woodford area taking up residence in Woodford.
In 1910 he opened his first sawmill in Woodford on the western bank of the One Mile Creek approximately where the house owned by Fay English now stands (7 Durundur Street).
It’s first day of operation was Friday the 13th of November 1910.
Anders Anderson Fredin (1872-1958)
1910: First staff at Fredin’s Sawmill
Back Row-unknown, O. Sahlquist, unknown, J Chalmers Snr, unknown, A Fletcher.
Middle Row-AA Fredin, unknown, unknown, Mr Becker Snr, J Ransom, S Ransom, Mr Ransom Snr.
Front Row-W Sahlquist, unknown, C Johnson.
Photo courtesy Mick and Cheryl Duggan.
The Mill on One Mile Creek
In partnership with Peter Neilson Lovf, Fredin constructed the mill on Durundur Street, using water from the creek to power the steam engine. It became known for its early industrial presence in Woodford and operated under the name Fredin & Co by 1913 after Lovf sold out of the business. The mill remained active until 1922, when it was destroyed by fire.
Lovf’s Legacy Continues
After his early partnership with Fredin in Woodford, Peter Lovf went on to establish another sawmill in Bellthorpe, continuing his influence on the region’s timber industry. Read more ?
Family Life in Woodford
In 1911 he married Alice Butler, the youngest of 6 children to Frederick and Alice Butler. Together they raised 5 children, William, Evelyn, Elsie, Gordon and Dorothy. They set up home in the old Queenslander on the corner of Durundur and Leichhardt Streets which still stands today. Sadly Alice never lived to see her children married. She passed away on the 8th of May 1935 aged 45 years.
Photo taken by Norm Freeman just below the fire tower, Woodford State Forest.
Left to Right- Ernie Johnstone Bullock Driver, Gordon Fredin, Owie Kemp Forestry Overseer.
Photo courtesy Mick and Cheryl Duggan
Ron Trim
Local Historian Recalls
At Woodford, Anders Fredin was an Engineer on the building of the Railway to Woodford, so he set about setting up a mill in partnership with a local man, Lovf. They set up a mill overlooking the One Mile Creek and ran for years until it burnt down in the 1920s.
Captured in Timber & Time
Step back into the early 1900s through rare photographs of Fredin’s first sawmill and its workers, along with glimpses of life in Woodford’s timber heyday. Be sure to view the accompanying flyer for more historical insights and newspaper articles that bring this era to life.
Brisbane Courier April 1922
1936: Survey Map of Woodford
1936: Survey Map of Woodford
Fredin’s sawmill at the One Mile Creek. Water for the steam engine to drive machinery was pumped from the creek.
Workers at Fredin’s Sawmill
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