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COMPANY BACKGROUND
South Charleston Lumber was founded in November, 1929, by R. O. O'Dell, S. O. Bird, W. A. "Gus" Evans, H. T. Newcomer and H. B. Clay. The company was located at the corner of "D" Street and Second Avenue in South Charleston, on the same spot where it is located today. The Superior Lumber and Supply Company had been operating on that site and had been closed for several years before the South Charleston Lumber began operations. With $500.00 invested in stock, the principals opened for business.
The original stockholders quickly dropped out of the business, leaving only Gus Evans as the sole owner. Along with his three son, Everett A. Evans, Walter D. "Pat" Evans and Leslie L. Evans, they managed to keep the business operating through the recession years of 1932 to 1934.
In 1940, the name of the business was officially changed to Evans Lumber Company. During the 1940's, a sawmill was locatd on the property for several years but was later moved to a site ten miles above Clendenin on the Elk River. Over the years, Evans Lumber Company accumulated 6,000 acres of timberland in Kanawha, Roane and Clay Counties. Most of that land has been sold to the Department of Natural Resources to be used as hunting lands.
From time to time, the office building has been expanded and remodeled, but some of the original buildings that were used by Superior Lumber and Supply, over 70 years ago, still are in use today as lumber sheds. The name of Superior Lumber and Supply can still be found painted on a wall of the main lumber shed.
In the year 2000, Evans Lumber is celebrating it's 70th anniversary. |
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