Hammermill Paper Company

Hammermill was founded in 1898 as the "Ernst R Behrend Company." That same year, construction was begun on our first paper mill in Erie, Pennsylvania.

In early 1899, before construction of the Erie mill was completed, Ernst Behrend changed the company name to "Hammermill." It was named after the pulp and paper mill in Germany owned and operated by his father, Moritz Behrend. The German mill had been built on the site of an old drop hammer forge used to rework scrap wrought iron. Locals referred to the original site as "the Hammer," thus the name "Hammermill."

Over the years, the company expanded. In 1928, Hammermill acquired 40% of the newly incorporated Grays Harbor Pulp and Paper Company in Hoquiam, Washington. The addition of this mill allowed Hammermill to service the growing west coast market more efficiently and economically through reduced shipping costs.

Hammermill expanded its mill base again in 1959 with the acquisition of the Oswego mill in New York. For many years this mill made copier paper that was packaged exclusively for Xerox. Today, Oswego is dedicated to producing recycled Kraft paper.

The company continued its growth in the 1960's with the purchase of the Lock Haven, Pennsylvania mill in 1965. Its 150,000-ton capacity raised the company's papermaking potential to half a million tons.

Also in 1965, construction began on the Riverdale pulp mill near Selma, Alabama. At this facility in 1986, construction of the world-class #15 paper machine was completed and in 1995, the bigger and faster #16 machine was added.
In 1987, Hammermill was acquired by International Paper Company.


Certificate: Convertible Subordinated Debenture Bond, issued in the 1970’s

Printer: Security-Columbian Bank Note Company

Dimensions: 8” (h) x 12” (w)

State: PA-Pennsylvania

Subject Matter: Paper Companies

Vignette Topic(s): Allegorical Featured

Condition: Vertical fold lines, punch hole cancels in the signature areas and body, and has some toning from age.