cross saw

1890s: Oxen dragging logs along a skid road in area that is now Vancouver.
 

Moving Logs to Water

Two methods were commonly used to move logs to water. One was to cut trees that were uphill of the destination and then use a jack to start the log rolling downhill. The other method was skidding. Oxen or horses pulled the logs along a trail surfaced with small, round logs greased with oil. This type of trail was called a skid road.