Withers Lumber Company History continued
Woodburn Lumber became Withers Lumber
The Woodburn location was manned by their first employee, Fred Hurris. All during the depression and most of World War II, this is how the yards operated. All of our contractor customers had their own keys so if Lee or Fred were gone they’d simply come in, take what they needed and leave a note.
As the 50s began, both Woodburn and Mt. Angel yards started to grow and more people were hired. Both locations hired local folks and were vital parts of the community, especially if a church needed to be built or a barn raised.
In 1962, eldest son Bob came home from the service and went to work full-time in the same town where he had grown up.
The Woodburn store was now the much larger of the two locations and Lee, Ann, and Bob all worked there along with about 10 other employees.
There were so many colorful characters like “Shorty”, “Slim” and “Big” Bob Wellman, who lived and worked in the communities and really made the company what it is. A small but still big enough local company with local people.
As the 50s began, both Woodburn and Mt. Angel yards started to grow and more people were hired. Both locations hired local folks and were vital parts of the community, especially if a church needed to be built or a barn raised.
In 1962, eldest son Bob came home from the service and went to work full-time in the same town where he had grown up.
The Woodburn store was now the much larger of the two locations and Lee, Ann, and Bob all worked there along with about 10 other employees.
There were so many colorful characters like “Shorty”, “Slim” and “Big” Bob Wellman, who lived and worked in the communities and really made the company what it is. A small but still big enough local company with local people.
Son Bob took over in 1964 and opened Brooks Lumber in 1965.
Brooks served the Salem area and quickly became the highest volume yard but it was still the employees who made it a fun to work and fun to shop company. In 1998 Bob retired and Son Trent took the reins. As the company entered its third generation, more expansion took place: the Silverton store opened in 2004, followed by Molalla in 2010. |  Brooks Lumber became Withers Lumber |
 In the beginning... interior of Withers Lumber store in the 1960s. | One thing has never changed after all these years: Withers Lumber strives to open facilities in small communities staffed with local people. We believe that if you simply find the best, most honest and hardworking people who enjoy helping others then you will be appreciated and supported by your community. At Withers Lumber, our job is to help others do what they want to do. Good teams is how we do it. And we think you’ll enjoy our people and products no matter which store you frequent— Brooks/Salem or Molalla or Silverton. We’re so grateful for your support and we know we have to continue to earn it every day. |
