Holmes Eureka Lumber Company Celebratcs Fiftieth Anniversary

Holmes Eureka Lumber Company is celebrating its Golden Anniversary this month. The sure, steady progress of this company from standing start to its present solid position in the great Redwood lumber industry, is worthy of a celebration. "Those 50 years," said Fred Holmes, company president, "are packed with all the ups and downs, all the trials and tribulations of a 'lifetime.' They w'ere, as a whole, successful, exciting years; and presented a wonderful example of what is commonly called free enterpri,se-the type of enterprise that has made this nation great."

Like so many real life success stories, this one started with the dreams, aspirations, energy and foresight of one man, Joseph Henry Holmes, founder of the company. And, as is so often the case, behind the man there stood a u.oman to inspire, encourage and believe in him. The woman-his loving wife, who still takes an intense interest in the company, and keeps in touch with what's going on, from her home in Berkeley, California. Joe Holmes was the hardy type. He developed his calloused hands as a youth, while farming in Illinois; then as a citrus rancher in Ontario. California. Hard work and life outdoors gave him great strength and good health for pioneering in the lumber business. It was in 1888 that J. H. Holmes started his lumber career in Phoenix, Arizona, at the age of 31. They rode the crest of the building boom until the bust of 1893. Old timers recall that terrible vear, when people suddenly found they could neither collect nor pay what was owing. J. H. Holmes stood by his obligations. It took vears to pay in full, working as a salesman for the Saginaw Lumber Company and managing one of their retail yards, which they later sold.

Mr. Holmes saw an opportunity in the town of Kingman, Arizona, where two retail yards were bleeding themselves to death by senseless price competition. He stopped the ruinous situation by buying out both yards. The mines around Kingman and Chloride, Arizona, were active and the retail lumber venture prospered, so that in the year 1901 Mr. Holmes was able to sell out profitably and seek greater opportunities. He had the vision to turn his attention to the possiblities offered by Redwood lumber. It was in February, 1903, that he moved the family to Eureka, California. There he selected what proved to be a perfect location for a sawmill. Holmes Eureka Lumber Company was incorporated on June 24 of that year. Most of the original money for this new venture came from the friends which Mr. Holmes made in Arizona. A one-band sawmill was built. The company took root and started to grow. Many new stockholders came in. "In these days of the inflated dollar, it is hard to believe," observes Fred Holmes, "that a company could start with 58,000 shares of stock at $1 par value. My father, J. H. Holmes, subscribed for 16,437 shares. He was naturally elected president and general manager and the records show that his salary was $150 per month."

He served as president until he passed away in 1939. \\ialter H. Dalton then became president; and on his death, in December, 1942, Fred V. Holmes, son of the founder, was elected president and continues in that capacity as active head of the company.

Those early records shou'that the directors w'anted "Holmes" as part of the company name, because it would be an asset to the new corporation. They also rvished to have the rrord "Eureka" included-"Eureka" for the citv of their opportunity. So they put both names together as the "Holmes Eureka Lumber Company." The initials were used to give the company its famous trade mark "H-E Brand Redwood."

The company continued steadily to grow and for years operated its own lumber carrying vessel, the S.S. "Katherine." Those w'ere the days of lumber schooners, when the only transportation was by boat, and almost all the Redrrood shipped was rough green. Today the railroad and highwal- transport takes the place of cargo shipments' Holmes Eureka, ever abreast of the times, maintains a fast lumber truck service that extends all over Northern California. It is an essential part of the company's way of doing business, giving the retailer fast service on quick-turnover items. By maintaining a lumber inventory of some 16 to 18 million feet to be air dried, it gets maximum results out of ten large dry kilns; and gives a supply of Certified Dry Redwood, so much in favor that rnany retail lumbermen specify it for their own homes. I-arge inventory and modern facilities for quick shipment enables the dealer to keep his own inventory to the minimum and still give good service to his customers.

This company, *'hich started in such a small u'a-v, has built itself up out of earnings. It has never gone out after volume, but continues as a two-band mill, cutting about l-10,000 feet per day, on a 4Ghour week. Said a spokesman for the company, "It is remarkable what has happened in recent vears after the lumber leaves the headsarv. That is where the real improvements and refinements have taken place. Su'edisl'r gang salvs, resaws, ripsaws, the best planing mill machinerl' and the most modern transportation equipment, both lifts and carriers, have revolutionized the whole operation."

In addition to its own production, Holmes Eureka op€rates a buying department under the name of Freervav Lumber Sales. It ships direct from outside affiiliated mills under the "Freeway" brand; but all lumber from the Holmes Eureka plant goes out under the H-E brand and is carefully graded or re-graded so as to justify the reputation of the top qualitv H-E Redu'ood. The company sells throughout the East and \{iddle \\'est through its wholly-ou'ned subsidiary, Redwood Sales Company. All such sales of H-E Redu'ood are delivered under the "Sequoia" Brand, as the product of Holnres Eureka

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