Hirs

Billion-Dollqr Building Mcrrk in 1955 Firsr'-holf

For the first time in Southern California history, building permits passed the $1,000,000,000 mark in the first six months of a year, according to figures available a{ter June 30 as compiled by the Research department of the SecurityFirst National Bank of Los Angeles and reported in The Los Angeles Examiner.

A tabulation of 66 representative cities, plus the nine unincorporated county areas, shows that 1955, to that date, had recorded $1,037,434,482. This is more than 28/o above the building total for 1954's first half-$809,540,392.

The importance of topping the billion-dollar mark in six months was underlined by the fact that in all its history, the Southland has had only six full years in which the $1 billion mark was reached or surpassed.

The permit total for June this year was $172,722,805-highest on record, and also made this June the fifth highest of any rnonth on record.

The city of Los Angeles recorded $39,176,422 this June. For the first six months, its total was $214,98,168, com.pared to $frI,644,a62 \n i954's first half. Los Angeles County's June total was $39,895,590 and its six-months total rn'as $216,049,020, 30% above last year's and ll/a above the previous record set in 1950.

Orange county nearly doubled its 1954 figures, as did Fullerton, and Riverside county, rvhile Palm Springs clearly doubled its 1954 mark. Oxnard, in June, nearly tripled its June 1954 and more than doubled 1954's first half-year.

Two Merced Men Buy Selmo Yord of Vqlley Lumber Co.

Selma, Calif.-The Valley Lumber Co. yard here, a n'ellknown Selma business for at least 40 years, changed hands July 1 with its purchase by Bob Cross and Rich Bennett of Merced. The nerv o\\rners announced that the name will be changed to Selma Lumber & Hardware Co. They have purchased homes in the Bonnie View subdivision which are expected to be completed September 1 and will then move their families here.

Before buying the local yard, Cross and Bennett were associated rvith the Cross Lumber Co. at Merced for 10 years; they have severed that connection.

Riley Hallmark, manager for the Valley Lumber Co. here, said he will continue with the lineyard concern in a nerv assignment elsewhere after he closed out Valley's local accounts. Valley Lumber Co. has several California yards.

SCR.LA Adds Three Members

One nerv active member, the Buena Park (Calif.) Lumber Co., Inc., and two new associate members-E. L. Reitz Co., Long Beach, and Robert L. Taube \\rholesale, Beverly Hills, have joined the Southern California Retail Lumber Association. The firms were enrolled by Bob James, manager, Macco Lumber Co., Paramount, and Wilbur Barr, president, Barr Lurnber Co., Santa Ana.

wErcoME!

Galifornio lumber Merchont-isers

With this issue, u'e u'elcome the follorving neu' advertisers into the ever-growing family of "Merchantisers" :

Chesney, Inc. (Page 52)

Lumber Carrier Service, Inc. (Page 59)

Martin Brothers Box Company (Pages 34-35) (Lumber Division)

Hess Sells Sebosfopol, Guerneville Yqrds to Christenson Fomily in Deol Involving $5OO,OOO

In a transfer involving a half million dollars, Henrl' Hess made official the sale of l-ris Sebastopol and Guerneville, California, lumberyards on July 19. Mr. IIess, one of Sebastopol's oldest businessmen, sold the tu'o yards to thc Christenson family.

Henry Hess, who started the Sebastopol yard 42 years ago, turned over two of his four yards to a new corporation, the Sebastopol Lumber Company, controlled by the Christenson family with whom he has been associated for many years. E. A. Christenson and Henry Hess originated the Henry Hess Lumber Company in 7912. Mr. Hess will continue to operate his trvo other yards, in San Rafael and Novato.

Fred J. Foster, attorney for the Christenson family, stated that no change in policy is anticipated, and that every man of the old Hess personnel will remain employed in his same position with the new company.

Mr. Hess expressed his gratitude for the friendships he has found in both Sebastopol and Guerneville and adjoining areas. "They will often see me back there," he said. "Friendships of more than 42 years just do not fade."

Diomond Motch Co. Seeks New Yqrd Site in Wqlnuf Creek

Walnut Creek, Calif.-The Planning Commission met last month to consider several matters, including an application by Diamond Match Co. to operate a lumberyard and building materials store on a site at N{t. Diablo boulevard and Granger street here. The company \rras represented by Ira E. Brink of Chico, general manag'er of the national firm's operations in Northern California.

The comrnission recommended approval of the application u'ith a number of minor conditions. The area is non' occupied by the Kewin Lumber & Supply Co. and has been a lumberyard site for 39 years. Brink said that Diamonci Match would lease the property and make a number of improvements. It would also retain its present yard in the triangle formed by Locust, Dast and Cole streets but n'ould give up its storage yard across the street.

Son Diego Hits $17 Million Period

San Diego.-Construction started in unincorporated areas of San Diego county in June n'as valued at a total of $3.294,570, compared rvith $2.530,994 in June 195,1. The June totals brought the 1955 six-months' figure to $17,289,530, compared to $14,624,737 in the first six n-ronths of 1954.