Founded in 1920, Foster Lumber still prospers

VER the past 70 years, Foster Lumber Yards. Inc. has seen it all, yet remains strong as ever.

"We are very proud of the fact that we have prospered through many good times and bad," said David B. Jones, president and general manager.

The company was established by Gilbert Foster in 1920 as Foster Planing Mill, Vallejo, Ca. Originally Foster, sold special millwork, cabinets, sash, doors, store fixtures and glass, especially large plate glass for commercial buildings. Lumber, such as pine, Douglas fir and redwood, had to be kept in inventory to feed the mill. And soon people began asking to purchase the lumber for commercial work and new home construction.

Story at a Glance

What began as a planing mill over 70 years ago thrives today as a rctailer. adapting to new products and conditions has helped the firm survive wars and deprcssions and floods.

In the late 1920s and 1930s, more storage sheds were built to accommodate the growing demand for lumber and other building materials. Moulding, redwood shakes and shingles, which are nearly impossible to buy today, and other lumber products were introduced.

The lumber yard was built on tide land on the corner of Napa and Maryland streets. Unfortunately, the winter months would swamp the area with high waters and blue mud. The yard and driveway in from the street had to be paved with 3 x 12 rough Douglas fir. Still, high tides and storms could mean flooding.

In the early years, most walls and ceilings in homes and commercial buildings were either lath and plaster or wood paneling. Some ceilings in commercial buildings were made of decorative pressed metal and then painted. Gilbert Foster bought the first load of sheetrock ever shipped to Vallejo. Others were skeptical of a board made of gypsum and paper. Today, 990/o of homes have walls and ceilings of sheetrock.

Foster Lumber was also the only lumber yard in town to survive the Great Depression. As war erupted in Europe in the late 1930s, activity increased at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, revitalizing the local construction market to provide housing for shipyard workers. Work in the planing mill also picked up, producing special millwork for the Navy.

"But after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, wood became very scarce for civilian use. The war years were bad years for the retail lumber business but Foster Lumber prevailed," recalled Jimmy Jones.

Jimmy Jones and his brother, Cecil, had moved to California from their native Oklahoma in 1940 to join the business. And when Foster decided to retire in 1946, he sold the business to the brothers. In 1952, Cecil sold his interest to Jimmy and his wife, Betty.

The horrible winter conditions and need for more space finally became unbearable. A new yard was built and opened on Sonoma Street in 1963. Though the yard was practically out in the country at the time, the city has grown in around it. An additional yard in Fairfield, Ca., was constructed in 1959.

The two yards continue to operate successfully, and property is currently being scouted for the possible opening of other locations. Jimmy Jones attributes the longevity to the basics. "Service to our customers is our greatest asset," he said. "We offer quality merchandise in all products at a fair price. And with a great bunch of employees, things look very good for the future."

Jimmy Jones' son, David, now runs the company as it approaches the year 2000 and a world very different from 1920 when it was founded.

Both Joneses are very active in Hoo-Hoo International. the lumbermen's fraternity.