Foley Bros. Saw Mill, built around 1882, was the most important factor in the early development of the settlement that years later became the incorporated town of Foley in the year 1900. The above saw mill building stood on the East side of Broadway Avenue on the present site of Neighborhood Plumbers Shop. The barrels on the top of the roof were for fire protection during the summer months. Standing at the far right is Martin Hoglund, who was Foley's top mill man. Later, he became manager of the Foley Lumber Company. During its peak production the mill employed about fifty men. The Foley Bros. Saw Mill was one of the enterprises of John Foley, who came to this community from Canada and founded the town of Foley. Thousands of acres of virgin hardwood timber in this area was logged and turned into ties under a contract to supply the fast-expanding Great Northern Railroad. The mill flourished for about 20 years and was shut down in the year 1901.

-- from "Picture Story of Early Foley Days"
Benton County News, Foley, Benton County, Minnesota
Photo from Joe Kotsmith's Foley Historical Collection