
Incorporation
North Liberty Lumber and Coal Company is incorporated.
1904William Michael Hass Joins
William Michael Hass moves to Indiana to work for Isaac Colburn and George Bales.
1907Partnership Formed
Hass, Colburn, and Bales each acquire 1/3 interest of North Liberty Lumber and Coal Company.
1909Corporation Dissolved
Corporation is dissolved, but North Liberty Lumber and Coal Company continues to operate.
1919Westville Location Opens
A location in Westville, IN is opened, marking the beginning of the Big C Lumber story.
1921Three Oaks, MI Yard Acquired
A lumberyard in Three Oaks, MI is acquired, originally built by Dwight Warren.
1923Reincorporation
Business reincorporated with Hass & Bales each owning half of the company.
South Bend HQ Established
Hass moves to South Bend, IN, and into the newly constructed Belleville Lumber, which becomes the main headquarters.
1928Roseland, IN Yard Acquired
A lumberyard in Roseland, IN is acquired, forming part of the Niles Lumber Company.
1928Expansion
Other lumberyards were acquired in Lydick, New Carlisle, Lakeville, and other locations.
1921-28The Great Depression
Hass lumberyards took land as payment for contractor’s accounts, owning over 300 lots.
1929-39George Bales Passes Away
George Bales passes away.
1934Hass Wholesale Formed
Hass Wholesale is formed to supply lumber and materials to Hass’s lumberyards.
1939Sawmills Acquired
Hass acquired sawmills in Mississippi and Michigan to secure lumber supply during the war.
1939-45Portage Realty Formed
Portage Realty is formed to manage the lots acquired from contractors.
1941Hass Millwork and Hass Concrete Formed
Hass Millwork is formed as part of Hass Wholesale, and Hass Concrete is also formed.
1941-45Marshall County Lumber Acquired
Hass acquires Marshall County Lumber in Culver, IN, and a ready-mix concrete company.
1943Majority Ownership
William Hass attains majority ownership of Hass Wholesale and its related companies.
1944Belleville Lumber Relocation
Belleville Lumber relocates to downtown South Bend, now where the Century Center parking lot is.
1946-55North Liberty Machinery Company Opens
Hass opens North Liberty Machinery Company, later traded for Western Avenue Lumber Company.
1950Big C Cashway Name Introduced
The "Big C Cashway" name is first used, allowing customers to pay cash and pick up lumber themselves.
1967Marshall County Lumber Sold
Operation assets of Marshall County Lumber Company are sold, forming Princess Management Services.
1968Princess Builders Founded
Princess Builders was founded, focusing on pre-fab houses, operating until 1976.
1972Triangle Truss Founded
Triangle Truss was founded at the site of the current Granger location, lasting until 1976.
1974First Contractor Appreciation Dinner
The first Contractor Appreciation Dinner is held in the winter with 600 attendees.
1975Princess Homes Property Sold
The property of Princess Homes in Mishawaka was sold.
1976Locations Liquidated
The North Liberty and Westville locations were liquidated, leaving only the Roseland and Three Oaks locations.
1981First Computer System Installed
The first computer system is installed at the Roseland location.
1981Granger Facility Opens
The Granger, IN facility opened in March, marking a significant milestone for the company.
1987Indianapolis Yard Acquired
A lumberyard in Indianapolis, IN is acquired, expanding the company's reach.
1989McKinley Lumber Acquired
McKinley Lumber in Mishawaka, IN is acquired, further strengthening the company's presence in Indiana.
1990Indianapolis Yard Shuts Down
The Indianapolis yard shuts down, marking a strategic consolidation.
1991Home Lumber Acquired
Home Lumber in Goshen, IN is acquired, expanding the company's operations in Indiana.
1992Karch Lumber Acquired
Karch Lumber in Middlebury, IN is acquired, continuing the company's expansion in the region.
1993The Big Scene Created
"The Big Scene" is created to communicate changes and share company history with employees.
July 1993Eau Claire Lumber Acquired
Big C Lumber acquires Eau Claire Lumber Co. after the business was owned by the same family for 66 years.
February 1994Granger Location Repurchased
The former Triangle Truss location in Granger is repurchased, becoming the hub for contractor and corporate sales.
Wilson Lumber Acquired
Wilson Lumber in LaPorte, IN is acquired, adding one of Indiana's oldest lumberyards to the company.
Late 1994Farver Lumber Acquired
Farver Lumber in Shipshewana, IN is acquired, expanding the company's footprint in the state.
Late 1996Kauffman Lumber Acquired
Kauffman Lumber in Schoolcraft, MI is acquired, further expanding into Michigan.
1997Do it Best Becomes Hardware Supplier
Do it Best becomes the hardware supplier of Big C Lumber, with all stores converting over two years.
1997Goshen Store Sold
The Goshen store, which was open for only six years, is sold. Contractor salespeople are moved to the Elkhart location.
1998Retailer of the Year Award
Big C Lumber is named the 1998 Retailer of the Year by the Indiana Lumber and Building Supply Association.
January 1998Leadership Transition
Roger Foley steps down as President & CEO, promoting Matt Magor to the position. Roger Foley becomes Chairman of the Board.
February 1999Hipskind Building Supply Acquired
Hipskind Building Supply in Coloma, MI is acquired, expanding the company's reach in Michigan.
March 2001Broadview Lumber Acquired
Broadview Lumber is acquired, adding yards in Kendallville, MI, Fort Wayne, IN, and Auburn, IN, marking the company's biggest acquisition to date.
2004Koppenhofer Lumber Acquired
Koppenhofer Lumber in Grovertown, IN is acquired, continuing the company's expansion.
2005Lutterbein Lumber Acquired
Lutterbein Lumber in Edgerton, MI is acquired, expanding the company's footprint in Michigan.
2012Michiana Truss Acquired
Michiana Truss in Dowagiac, MI is acquired, enhancing the company's product offerings.
2015Stevenson Lumber Acquired
Stevenson Lumber in Adrian, MI is acquired, further expanding operations in Michigan.
2015Delton Pole Building Company Acquired
Delton Pole Building Company in Delton, MI is acquired, marking the most recent expansion of Big C Lumber.
2022