Local Century Old Business To Say Goodbye

Hawkeye Lumber as it appeared circa 1977 (photo courtesy John Porter)

Oskaloosa, Iowa – After 111 years in business in Oskaloosa, Hawkeye Lumber Company is closing according to Hawkeye President John W. Porter. Porter’s advanced age and the loss of his son, Charles, to cancer have contributed to the decision to close.

Carl Drost, President of Drost Equipment Inc. has purchased the real estate belonging to Hawkeye and Hawkeye will be selling its existing inventory over the next few months. Ron Allgood, longtime Hawkeye Manager, will be in charge of the liquidation.

Hawkeye Lumber then located at 500 High Ave. West in Oskaloosa was destroyed by fire in 1977 (photo courtesy John Porter)

In his sixty-two years with Hawkeye, Porter has seen many changes in the business. He is past president of the Iowa Lumbermens’ Association and past board member of the Northwestern Lumbermens’ Association which covers Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Porter’s father, R. V. Porter, and his grandfather, C. M. Porter, preceded him in Hawkeye management.

Hawkeye Lumber was an outgrowth of Wm. Burnside & Son Lumber Co. in 1901. C. M. Porter joined Hawkeye in 1909. At one time, Hawkeye owned and operated 30 lumber yards in Iowa, ranging from Red Oak on the west to Muscatine on the east.

A disastrous fire in 1977 wiped out Hawkeye Lumber, which was located at 500 High Ave. West. New construction on Highway 23 South replaced the burned facility.