"We always took involvement in our community very seriously."

To commemorate the end of an era, the Pathfinder went back through the archives to find mentions of Pyramid Mountain Lumber all the way back to 1983 when the paper was published as The Valley Times. There aren't instances from each year since, mainly because we'd run out of space, and also because one gets the general gist from the compiled remarks.

A main refrain after the announced closure of Pyramid Mountain Lumber on March 14 of this year was that it was the glue that held Seeley Lake together. That's evident in some of the phrases gathered, like this one from 1987 written in a letter to the editor about a gravel pit by Charlie Goff from Condon:

"If the Pyramid Mountain mill were to cease operations, this area would be immediately reduced to a depressed community and a virtual ghost town."

Another, echoed then and now, was how much Pyramid gave back to the community during its 75 years as a family-owned operation. The headlining quote to this spread - "we always took involvement in our community very seriously" - is from Pyramid's current general manager Todd Johnson.

Here are a few current comments echoing the community's side of that sentiment:

"Pyramid Mountain Lumber has been invaluable in providing local employment for folks in the wood products industry, from loggers and log truck drivers, to the folks who worked at the mill. Pyramid's commitment to sustainable forest stewardship and collaborative processes working with different perspectives to find solutions to get good work done on the ground was truly one of a kind. At Swan Valley Connections, we value sustainable forest management and the work it provides for the local economy. We are forever grateful for everything Pyramid brought to the local and regional communities and they will be sorely missed in the future of local forest management." - Swan Valley Connections, Condon

"Loyalty is a primary trait of honor towards others. Pyramid Lumber has been the most loyal partner this community has ever known. In this regard Pyramid has stood by this community's citizenry through thick and thin, boom and bust and never let us down. Blessed are these loyal partners, they will be dearly missed." Steve Bowen, Seeley Lake Lions Club

"Pyramid Mountain Lumber has been integral to Seeley Lake over the past 75 years. From green 'timber supported business' signs hung around town, to the familiar red and white logo being spotted on jackets and hats at high school sports games, from Pyramid wrapped timber products used in construction projects up and down our valleys, to an ecosystem of jobs and donations that supported so many families and community projects, the impact of the last family-run lumber mill in the state has been profound and will be deeply missed." - Claire Muller, Seeley Lake Community Foundation

All five phases of Pyramid's wind down operation have ended, culminating in an auction of the mill's buildings and equipment that opened on Oct. 30. Contractors will be onsite through the winter and spring taking down equipment, Johnson said. At the end, the property that held the mill will be empty save a few buildings.

It'll look a lot different, Johnson said.

Below are the compiled remarks beginning in 1983.

1983 The Seeley Lake Volunteer Fire Department would like to thank the following businesses for contributing to the raffle, door prizes and auction for the Fireman's Ball: Barney's Cafe, Elkhorn Cafe, Filling Station, Double Arrow Lodge, Dan's Discount, Hair Loft, Kozy Korner, Lindey's Steak House, Pyramid Mountain Lumber • Through the generous donation by Pyramid Mountain Lumber, the SLORU is finally going to be able to buy a Kendrick Extrication Device • We at Pyramid are very proud of our two schools, each faculty and administration • The Youth Program would like to thank the following businesses and individuals for their generous financial support towards the Little League Baseball Programs: Pyramid Lumber for building materials for the dugouts • The Seeley Lake Quick Response Unit wishes to thank all of our generous supporters during this past year. Among those are: Bert Sullivan, Pyramid Mountain Lumber Co ... • Words cannot express the appreciation felt to the numerous community businesses and individuals who year in and year out give generously of their time and money to assist the District in various projects. Without their help many projects would not be completed and children would have to go without the extra help so often needed ... Without the donated labor and donated materials from Pyramid Lumber, a set of very excellent dugouts would not have existed • Pyramid Mountain Lumber donated the remainder of the lumber

1984 The Second Annual 50K Ovando Seeley Citizens Race (OSCR) is history and on behalf of Maggie Schenk and myself, I want to thank all of the folks who gave of their time and talents to make this event a success ... Pyramid Lumber Company for agreeing not to plow up a portion of the race course • The Snowy Lake Gang fourth grade Adventures wish to thank all the businesses who have sponsored them throughout the school year ... Pyramid Mountain Lumber Inc. ... • The District owes a debt of gratitude to those businesses who helped make the program most rewarding. We would like to express our appreciation to the following: United States Air Force, United States Army, Montana National Guard, Missoula County Airport Authority, Culbertson's Inc., Pyramid Mt. Lumber ...

1985 Gratitude page brought to you courtesy of ... Pyramid Mountain Lumber ...

1986 ... Lumber by Pyramid Lumber ... • Operation Employs Over 100, Churns Out 40 MM Board Feet • generous financial support of our local businesses, Valley Market, 1st Valley Bank, and Pyramid Mountain Lumber donated (the) advertisement • Pyramid Mountain Lumber Inc. wishes all their employees and their families a very Merry Christmas and a bountiful New Year! • Some people said it couldn't be done - build a school gymnasium with volunteer labor ... Roger Johnson, Pyramid Mountain Lumber, Inc., has supported the project whenever it was feasible, and donated lumber for construction of bleachers.

1987 Pyramid is the only employer in the private sector that shows absolute compassion and consideration for their employees. • Without the security of such business enterprises as Pyramid Lumber, construction companies, stores, garages, bars, restaurants, etc., Seeley Lake and other area communities would fast become ghost towns. • Pyramid cooperated with the Community Hall board in every way ... • If the Pyramid Mountain mill were to cease operations, this area would be immediately reduced to a depressed community and a virtual ghost town. • Since this is National Forest Products Week, we thought it would be appropriate to launch a series on the Pyramid Mountain mill in Seeley Lake - "the" mill, which is the economic mainstay of our community. • We are fortunate that Pyramid Mountain Lumber has had some exceptionally good management, and has been able to continue its operation and support of the community while other mills, both large and small, have ceased to operate in Western Montana. • Pyramid installs new trimmer line

1988 Apparently, Pyramid has been astutely filling the void created by other Montana sawmills. • Thanks to the following donors and sponsors of the 1988 OSCR cross-country ski race: ... Pyramid Mountain Lumber ...

1989 Pyramid management has recognized its safety director and swing shift for completing a two-year period without having a lost time accident. • Early logging and recognition of the 40th anniversary of Pyramid Mountain Lumber will be the highlights of the Third Annual Founders Dinner sponsored by the Seeley Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.

2015 While layoffs are possible, Pyramid is hoping to manage with what they have. (Loren) Rose said, "We have good employees and we would like to keep them." • Community leaders must carefully weigh a future for Seeley Lake without its major employer. Seeley will undoubtedly go through a major economic slump while it remakes itself when/if Pyramid Mountain Lumber closes. • Pyramid Mountain Lumber, Inc received their prestigious "Montana Forestry Partner Pioneer" award. It recognized Pyramid's long time commitment to forestry.

2016 Pyramid Mountain Lumber Company, Inc. has maintained 140 employees and kept their doors open through the worst year financially the mill has ever experienced. • Pyramid Mountain Lumber excels again this year in grader performance.

2018 Through the Safety Award program, Pyramid Mountain Lumber has put $2,500 in the past five months back into the economy of Seeley Lake.

2019 We would like to thank (Carl "Callie"Antone Bergset's) Pyramid Mountain Lumber Company family including Darlene Troutwine for their unwavering support during this difficult time. • Because of his experience in Libby, (Quinn) Carver said keeping Pyramid Mountain Lumber running is essential. Even though the (Ranger) District is a small part of Pyramid's total volume, he will do what he can to keep them operational. • The legislation that originated in Pyramid Lumber's boardroom 14 years ago would: protect 79,000 acres of wildlife habitat in the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat Wilderness Areas, open 2,013 acres of currently closed land to snowmobiling, and protect 3,800 acres for mountain biking and hiking. • Pyramid Mountain Lumber, Inc. made great strides this week towards automating the finishing side of the mill.

2020 Pyramid Mountain Lumber excelled again this year in grader performance. • While the lumber prices have dropped an average of 20% in the last month for the products Pyramid Mountain Lumber, Inc. has remained operational through the coronavirus pandemic thanks to their employees. • Seeley Lake Senior Center would like to thank all of the many individuals and the following businesses for their donations in 2020 through the St. Patrick's Day Dinner, March for Meals sponsored by Missoula Aging Services and the Change Your Pace Challenge sponsored by the Seeley Lake Community Foundation, (including Pyramid Mountain Lumber)

2022 Pyramid Mountain Lumber Resource Manager Gordy Sanders received the 2022 William Schlich Memorial Award for his 46 years of outstanding work that influenced local, state and national forestry policy. Sanders is one of only 39 recipients of the award in 88 years. • Blackfoot Challenge summer block party sponsors ... Pyramid Mountain Lumber ... • Graduation page sponsored by Pyramid Mountain Lumber •