The Tonawanda Lumbermen began as the All-Tonawanda All-Stars. They were an independent team active between 1916 and 1921, playing their home games in the city of Tonawanda, a suburb of Buffalo, New York.  The 1920 team was very successful, with a record of 7-1 against local APFA franchises and other independent teams. Their last game of the season against the Rochester Jeffersons was among the first Thanksgiving Classics.  With their 1920 success the team joined the APFA in 1921 as the Tonawanda Lumbermen. However, they were the shortest lived team in the league's history, playing only one game.