Bohnhoff Lumber Co. History
With Over A Century of Service as a Lumber Yard in Los Angeles
Bohnhoff Lumber Co. was started in 1910 at the corner of Alameda and 15th by C.W. Bohnhoff. He migrated from Germany at the age of two with his parents and settled in Saginaw, Michigan, the lumbering capital of the United States at that time. Since then, five generations of Bohnhoffs have run the family business through the course of its history.
1910 was a glorious time to be in the lumber business. Between 1910 and 1930, the population in the LA area grew from 320,000 to 1,240,000 people. The demand for lumber during this population boom made C.W. Bohnhoff one of the most successful business people in the lumber industry in Los Angeles.
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However, it wasn’t easy sailing for Bohnhoff Lumber. To operate through the great depression in the 1930s, Mike Bohnhoff’s grandfather has to sell their house and many of their possessions just to keep the business afloat.
Another test came to the Bohnhoff Lumber Yard in 1964 when a fire destroyed the original lumber yard on the corner of Alameda and 15th. Thanks to the support of the local lumber community, who offered their help in the way of truck use and materials to restock the lumber yard, Bohnhoff Lumber was back on its feet in under a week. Since then, the business has thrived at its current location on 26th street in Vernon.
Today, Bohnhoff Lumber is run by Michael Bohnhoff and Christa Ellis, the late Alan Bohnhoff’s two children. The sixth generation of Bohnhoffs to join in the family business includes Michael’s children Charles Trevor Bohnhoff and Whitney Alan Bohnhoff and Christa’s sons Jacob Alan Ellis and Robert L. Ellis IV.
The motto of the Bohnhoff crew has always been, "We sell a good product at a good price." We stand by that motto. Our lumber and other wood products are from the finest trees sourced from the most reputable sources. While we are known as a specialty hardwood yard, we also carry various softwood species and plywood. We take pride in being one of the last remaining lumber yards to allow customers to “hand select” their own lumber and in having the most friendly and knowledgeable staff to help you find exactly what you need. Bohnhoff Lumber Co., is a true American success story carrying on through six generations to serve the evolving needs of the growing Los Angeles community. We are evolving too! With a recent office remodel, repaving, and new equipment, Bohnhoff is better than ever before. Come and see how we have brought over 100 years of experience, tradition, and success into the modern age. Give us a call at (323) 263-9361 for more information. Better yet, visit our yard at 3411 E. 26th. St. in Vernon to see for yourself.“We sell a good product at a good price.”