A lumberyard celebrates 125 years

Alexander Lumber, a family owned business that describes itself as “more than a lumberyard,” will be holding 125th Anniversary celebrations at all 20 locations over the next few months.

“We feel the values that have allowed us to operate for 125 years align very closely with the values that the people of our communities have come to expect and who they choose to do business with,” says District Manager, Greg Kimbrell. “Alexander Lumber feels it is important to contribute to the communities we helped build, so we hope the community will come out and celebrate with us.”

The founder, John Alexander came to the United States from Scotland, and opened his first lumberyard in Aurora, Illinois in 1891. He sought to expand his lumber operation and was provided the opportunity when the railroads started reaching out west. John was able to negotiate a series of land leases with the railroads setting lumberyards at close intervals along the line. By the late 1920s, he operated well over 100 so-called "line yards”.

Today, the 20 locations throughout Illinois and Wisconsin are a go-to resource for home renovation projects; selling windows, doors, kitchen and bath cabinets, hardware, decking, roofing, fencing and more.