How did logging and lumber become important to the Pacific mountain region’s economy?

The Pacific mountain region’s economy became heavily reliant on logging due to its vast forests of large softwood lumber trees, which are among the largest in the world.1

Large-scale commercial exploitation was catalyzed by two major developments:
* Railroad Expansion: The arrival of railroads in the 1880s provided the necessary infrastructure to transport timber to other parts of the country.1
* Maritime Trade: The opening of the Panama Canal in 1914 significantly stimulated the movement of lumber by ship, leading to widespread clear-cutting of old-growth forests.1

While these activities were essential to the region's economic development, they eventually led to environmental concerns, including soil erosion and habitat loss. By the late 19th century, these issues prompted the establishment of government-protected lands and increased regulation of the industry. Today, the production and export of wood products remain a major source of income for much of the Pacific Northwest.23