Weyerhaeuser Paper Company began in Frederick Weyerhaeuser came to America from Germany at the age of 18. He worked hard and saved money. He was hired as night watchman at a sawmill in Rock Island, Illinois. Fredrick slowly climbed within the company learning about what needed to be done to stay success full. Shortly after Fredrick started work at the saw mill, it fell into bankruptcy. After the saw mill closed Fredrick and his brother-in law leased a lumber yard and saw mill here the original. When trees began to become scarce he and his brother-in law went north to find wood. The two men were doing very well for themselves and because of this, in January 1900, Frederick Weyerhaeuser and 15 partners made history of the lumber industry. They the purchased 900,000 acres of Washington state timberland from the Northern Pacific Railway largest private land transaction in American history to that time. Frederick wanted to name the new land and timber firm "The Universal Timber Company." His partners overruled him and instead named the company in his honor. Fredrick had great dreams for his land and company he was quoted, “This is not for us, nor for our children - but for our grandchildren.” All
In the years following the war Weyerhaeuser opened the first Pulp mill in Longview Washington. This mill was called a “Great Depression miracle," making a profit while overall the company sustained losses. Following great struggles during the Great Depression the company became aware of the quickly diminishing forests. Because of this Weyerhaeuser open the first certified Tree Farm. In an effort to diversify Weyerhaeuser the company began the first Forestry Research Department in Longview.