Just one year after opening, Chicago Lumber adds Henry F. Cady as partner, strengthening leadership and accelerating growth. Together, they expand operations and inventory, positioning the company to meet the demand of a booming local market.

By the early 1880s, Chicago Lumber is supplying millions of board feet of lumber to builders and tradespeople across the region. As demand continues to rise, the company outgrows its original space and relocates in 1885 to a larger yard on 14th Street between Marcy and Leavenworth, creating the room needed to support bigger orders and Omaha’s expanding construction industry.

Chicago Lumber builds its headquarters at 1324 Pierce Street, constructing a brick building with a distinctive green tile roof that becomes an Omaha landmark. This move establishes a long-term home base and sets the stage for over a century of continued service from the same location.

As building needs evolve through the early and mid-20th century, Chicago Lumber grows beyond traditional lumber supply. The company expands into broader building materials, supporting everything from residential growth to commercial projects across the region.

Chicago Lumber reaches its 75th anniversary, marking decades of service through major changes in Omaha, the construction industry, and the country itself. It’s a milestone that reflects not only longevity, but the relationships and reputation the company built year after year.

As Omaha and the surrounding region grow, Chicago Lumber continues expanding its reach beyond the city and strengthening its role as a trusted supplier across Nebraska and neighboring states. This era helps shape the company into a long-term partner for contractors, builders, and dealers throughout the Plains.

Chicago Lumber Company celebrates its 100th anniversary, marking a full century of service in Omaha and the surrounding region. The milestone reflects the company’s staying power through generations of change, while continuing to operate with the same focus on quality, relationships, and dependable service.

As customer expectations and the building industry evolve, Chicago Lumber continues modernizing operations and expanding products and services. This era blends traditional service values with improvements that support accuracy, efficiency, and long-term growth.

150 years after its founding, Chicago Lumber Company remains headquartered on Pierce Street and continues to operate with a focus on relationships, quality, and reliability. The company serves contractors, builders, and homeowners with the same commitment to service that has defined its long history, building not just structures, but lasting partnerships.

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