In 1887, Fernando C. Richards bought this sawmill in Hale from Blanchard Kimball. He sawed long lumber and singles at first and also ran a threshing machine. Later, he fitted the mill for sawing birch and was the first on Swift River to saw birch. In 1894, he sold the mill to Mason Brothers and went in with his son Fernando Allen Richards, who had built a a mill below Mexico Corner.

Pictured from left to right are a Mr. Bradeen, Fernando C. Richards, and two unknown persons.