Forest Paper Co. dumped large quantities of byproducts -- especially black ash -- into the Royal River. It became clear that a better disposal system was necessary for the waste.
At the turn of the 20th century, Forest Paper Co. acquired land known as Shaw's Grove, where it began depositing most of the black ash waste.
In some spots, like this one, the black ash is over 20 feet deep.
Brickyard Hollow in Yarmouth, where the library stands, is a former swamp that was filled with black ash.
