The home of the Pacific Lumber Company, which was incorporated in 1869, Scotia has two sawmills, housing for 270 families, churches, schools, a fire department, a medical center, a shopping center and a post office. The lumber mill, which is the largest redwood processor in the world, offers free, self-guided tours to the public on weekdays.
Visitors can see all the machinery in action just by following signs and painted pathways.
If you were a redwood log, you'd come into the mill on a truck. An overhead crane would unload you, and you'd find yourself heading for the hydraulic debarker, a high-power water cannon that blasts your bark off in a matter of minutes. Then you'd be ready for the next sawing phase. Eventually, you'd end up in the planing area, and, if you're high enough grade, you might get dried in a kiln for a week or two. Otherwise, you'd be air-dried outside for up to two years.