Hello again and welcome to the second half of the Hunter Lumber story! Additionally, there’s a new document in the Appendices tab at the top with a map of the lumberyard property, so be sure to check that out as well.
In 1963, Mary Hunter left the business when she married Malcolm Stewart and moved to Alberta. Around 1965, Hunter Lumber bought the Zronic Farm west of Scotland and started the process of creating a subdivision called Hunter Subdivision. The land had to be surveyed, permits obtained, roads built, hydro installed, wells drilled, and drainage completed for each lot before houses could be built. The preparation for 15 lots at a time took about ten years. The sod turning happened in 1976. By this time hardware and other supplies were included in the business and staff numbers had increased. Several buildings were built on the property over the years to accommodate the growing business including an additional shed, a paint shop, two machine shops, three barns and two expansions of the office.
“I remember building the first ginseng kiln for Mr. Hillier. And during the 1950’s and 1960’s, I remember the lumber dealers in the area would meet to talk business.”
Note from Margaret: On November 11, 2003 Albert Boroski of Wilsonville saw a write-up about Charlie in the newspaper and sent a note saying how much he appreciated the kindness “your Dad” (C.D.) did for him 60 years ago. He never forgot it and “would like to speak to you about it”. C.D. had supplied him with 500 bags of cement for a house foundation with no conditions after Scott Lumber in Waterford turned him down.
In 1975 Robert Hunter joined the firm as Secretary Treasurer. Charles Dean (Father) kept a keen eye on the business until his death in 1977, and he was pleased to have a grandson carry on where he had left off.
By 1984, Hunter Lumber was able to build and outfit a complete house with a workforce of 15 full-time and part-time employees. In 1988 the name of the business was changed to Hunter HomeCare Building Centre to reflect the dealer owned co-operative they were a part of. Later the name was changed to Tim-BR Mart. In 1989 Stanley Hunter installed a computer system.
Charlie worked at the yard until September, 2005 when he suffered a stroke and in July, 2011 the business closed and went into bankruptcy.
Next post we’ll resume with the chapter chronicling Charlie’s Young Adult Years.
Til next time,
xo
andrea