In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, intrepid Louisiana Swampers ventured into the dense bayous, wielding axes to harvest towering cypress trees. These original "axe men" faced arduous conditions, often working in two-man teams and spending months away from their families. They navigated the challenging swamp terrain to fell these majestic trees, which were then floated out in massive rafts to lumber mills along the Mississippi River.

Today, Albany Woodworks honors this rich heritage by reclaiming these historic timbers. Our process breathes new life into the wood painstakingly harvested by those early loggers, ensuring that the legacy of Louisiana's Swampers endures in modern craftsmanship.

In the heart of the Southern swamps, early loggers—known as Swampers—developed a daring and precise method to harvest towering cypress trees. Standing in a narrow pirogue, a flat-bottomed wooden boat, these skilled woodsmen would balance with one foot on an axe embedded in the tree trunk while swinging another axe to bring the tree down. Timing was everything—just as the tree began to fall, they had to swiftly maneuver the boat to safety.

This technique allowed Swampers to reach massive cypress trees deep in the flooded bayous, where conventional logging was impossible. Their courage and craftsmanship helped shape the rich history of reclaimed wood. Today, Albany Woodworks preserves that legacy by salvaging these same timbers, giving new life to the wood harvested by these fearless pioneers.

Sourcing the Timbers Our process begins with locating historic buildings slated for demolition. Many of these structures, built in the 1800s and early 1900s, contain rare, slow-grown cypress and heart pine—some of the most durable and beautiful woods in the world.

Careful Dismantling Instead of allowing these irreplaceable materials to go to waste, we work with an extensive network of demolition and construction professionals to carefully deconstruct buildings and salvage their original lumber.

Transport to Our Sawmill Once recovered, the reclaimed beams and planks make their way to our sawmill, where they are graded for quality and prepared for processing.

Precision Milling and Grading Every piece of wood is inspected and milled to perfection, ensuring it meets our high standards. We preserve the rich patina and character of the original timber while creating products suitable for modern homes, businesses, and historic restorations.

Crafting Timeless Products The reclaimed wood is transformed into stunning flooring, paneling, doors, shutters, beams, and more—ready to bring warmth, beauty, and history to any space.

A New Beginning in Your Home or Project By choosing Albany Woodworks’ reclaimed lumber, you’re not just investing in quality materials—you’re giving these historic timbers a second life while embracing sustainability. Our woods carry the legacy of the axmen who first harvested them, bringing their story into the present while preserving forests for the future.

At Albany Woodworks, we are committed to preserving the past while ensuring a sustainable future. Our reclaiming process allows us to rescue and repurpose antique materials, giving them new life in modern homes and historic renovations.

A Commitment to Conservation As historic warehouse districts, constructed with turn-of-the-century heart pine beams and brick, are demolished to make way for new developments, we step in to salvage these invaluable resources. By reclaiming this old-growth wood, we help reduce waste and preserve the craftsmanship of the past.

Reclaiming to Save More Trees Since our founding in 1976, we have developed a vast network of suppliers in the construction and demolition industry across the country. This allows us to consistently source high-quality materials from structures often over 150 years old. Rather than letting these irreplaceable timbers go to waste, we carefully dismantle and recover them for future use.

By choosing reclaimed wood from Albany Woodworks, you are not only investing in superior quality materials—you are also making an environmentally responsible choice. Each piece of wood we salvage helps protect living forests, ensuring that future generations can enjoy the beauty and benefits of nature.

Honor the past. Build for the future. Choose reclaimed wood.