Woodworking Shop

The Role of Lumber and Carpentry in Petawawa

Between 1850 and 1900, Petawawa’s economy was deeply rooted in the lumber industry, fueled by its vast forests of white pine, spruce, and cedar. As settlers arrived, logging became a dominant trade, supplying timber to both local markets and larger sawmills along the Ottawa River. The abundant lumber shaped the town’s infrastructure, with carpenters playing a crucial role in constructing homes, barns, churches, and bridges that defined the community.

Carpenters and Their Tools
Carpenters in 19th-century Petawawa relied on a range of hand tools to shape raw timber into functional structures and fine craftsmanship. Many of their tools were made of iron and wood, designed to withstand heavy use. Some of the most essential tools included:

Broad Axe & Adze – Used for hewing logs into squared beams, crucial for building sturdy homes and barns.

Crosscut & Pit Saws – Vital for cutting logs into boards, often operated by two workers in sawpits or on trestles.

Hand Planes – Ranging from the jack plane to the smoothing plane, these tools refined rough lumber into finished surfaces.

Chisels & Mallets – Used for joinery and detailing, allowing carpenters to create mortise and tenon joints for durable construction.

Brace & Bit (Hand Drill) – Allowed for precision drilling, often used for wooden peg fastenings in place of nails.

Drawknives & Spokeshaves – Shaped wood for furniture, wagon wheels, and tool handles, demonstrating the versatility of local craftsmanship.

Impact on the Community
Carpenters were highly respected tradesmen, essential to the town's expansion. They built everything from simple log cabins to more elaborate structures like churches and hotels, often using traditional timber framing techniques. As mills expanded and railways improved transportation, the demand for skilled carpentry increased, leading to the establishment of local woodworking shops. Many carpenters also took on roles as wheelwrights, boat builders, and furniture makers, reflecting the industry’s adaptability.

By the turn of the century, the lumber trade had firmly established Petawawa as a hub of craftsmanship and industry, laying the foundation for the town’s future growth. The legacy of these early carpenters remains in the few remaining heritage structures and the enduring importance of woodcraft in the region.