The History of White's Lumber...

George W. White, Founder of White's Lumber & Building Supplies.

White’s Lumber and Building Supplies, a North Country institution founded in 1892 by George W. White, is one of the oldest establishments in Northern New York. Now approaching 120 years of operation, the staff at White’s Lumber has enjoyed a wonderful working relationship with their customers and neighbors for generations.

From the company’s early beginnings, the success comes from hard work, offering the finest quality products at the lowest possible price, and a sincere dedication to offering their customer the best, most practical advice available.

George W. White was only 30 years old when he left his homestead in Pamelia and came to Watertown to form a “hay press business” with “hay buyer” Henry C. Anthony and Egbert W. Knapp of the E.W. Knapp Lumber Company.

At first, Mr. White was hesitant about entering the business world, as 1892 and the two following years were immersed in an economic depression. Furthermore, no one knew for certain whether the manufacture of hay presses would be a profitable venture. Finally, after carefully considering the idea, Mr. White agreed to enter into the partnership, and business was started in September 1892 with each of the three partners having an equal share in the new enterprise.

The new venture, called the Knapp Lumber Company, overcame the economic obstacles of the early 1890’s, chiefly through keen awareness of customer needs in a very competitive market, and the ability to enter into other product lines other than hay press manufacturing. Slowly the firm began to prosper.

Mr. Knapp sold his company interest to his partners in 1893 and the firm was now called White & Sullivan, with Mr. White as the senior member, and Mr. Sullivan the junior member.

White & Sullivan continued business at 27 Molton Street until 1906 when the plant and offices were moved to a building constructed on a vacant lot at the corner of Olive and 231 North Rutland Street in Watertown. A large warehouse and shop were established and eventually the plant was expanded to a size five times larger than its former location.

The firm of White & Sullivan existed for 17 years, until April 1913, when the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Sullivan sold his interest to Mr. White and withdrew from the firm while Mr. White’s son, Ralph, purchased a third of the business. The firm’s name was also changed to what it is legally today – G.W. White & Son, Inc.

With his lumber expertise well established, Mr. White extended his business interests into other enterprises along with his civic contributions to North Country charitable organizations. G.W. was very active in the YMCA, serving as a Board of Director as early as 1911. In 1920, Mr. White became a member of the Board of Trustees of the Henry Keep Home and became their president in 1936. He helped pioneer the Rotarians Club of Watertown, joining two months after their inception in 1914. G.W. was a life member of the Masons Watertown Lodge 49 F. & A.M., having joined in 1907. Mr. White was also a member of the Black River Valley Club, joining in 1910, and became its president in 1932. A very competitive person, G.W. enjoyed bowling and once held the highest score of his day – a record he kept for eight years, with a high triple of 723 and a single of 280.

G.W. was also an active member in the Crescent Yacht Club of Chaumont. He loved power boat racing on Lake Ontario running his cruiser “Irene” – which he built himself.

During World War I, G.W. took an active part in fund drives, serving as captain of a men’s team in the Liberty and Victory loan campaigns. G.W. White passed away on February 10, 1958, at the age of 96. In 1957, his son Ralph died and his son, Roger W. White, became president of the firm.

At a board cutting ceremony held on Friday morning August 12th, White's Lumber officially held a Grand Re-Opening at their Pulaski store.

Under Roger’s tenure, in January 1967, G.W. White & Son, Inc. purchased W.S. Corbin and Sons, a Gouverneur building supply, fuel oil and coal dealer. Renamed White’s Building & Supply, the store is still operating on Depot Street today. In 1969, White’s Lumber expanded into Pulaski, adding their third store on Rome Road. Tragically this store burned to the ground in February, 2010. In 2011 however, work was completed on a brand new, state of the art store in Pulaski.

In the late 1990’s when Roger W. White retired, his four children – Bradford, Roger Jr (Ted), Sarah and Jonathan – took over the day to day management of the company.

In 2001 White’s Lumber added their fourth store on James Street in Clayton and an enclosed drive thru lumberyard. What was formerly the Thousand Island Bowling Center became a full service home construction and repair store, with a 10,000 square foot showroom and four storage buildings.

Today, White’s Lumber & Building Supply continues to serve its customers with one simple goal: to help their customers reach their goals with great products, low prices and expert advice.