D. Baker & Son Lumber Co began at the peak of Michigan’s lumber boom, when Derk Bakker and his brother Jelte established a sawmill on the South Channel of the Grand River at the foot of Third St near the railroad tracks. With one 66-inch circular saw, it employed 24 men and had a capacity of 40,000 board feet a day.
Grand Haven circa 1871
In 1912, they constructed a lumberyard at the current location of 720 Pennoyer and moved all operations there. This location was ideal for lumber retail due to its proximity to the railroad tracks, which ran through the building until it collapsed in 2011.
Some come for the Summer. Baker is here to stay.
After serving in the Navy during WWII, Douglas returned home ready to begin ownership responsibilities at the yard. From 1946 to 1971, Doug Baker & his team kept the Baker traditions alive.
Customers, staff, the community - everyone is family at Baker. Just like today, they hand-loaded trucks and trailers with the best lumber in West Michigan.
As Baker Lumber celebrated its centennial birthday, the company saw new leadership. Dick Baker took an ownership role in 1971, followed by Bruce Baker in 1974. The Brothers transitioned the business into a corporation in 1978 with Dick as president and Bruce as vice-president.
Two forces of nature struck Baker Lumber in 2011. One brought the roof down. The other helped rebuild the Yard. After ice & snow collapsed the roof, Nada Edson —Dick Baker’s Daughter— took up an ownership role & helped rebuild Baker Lumber.
After the roof collapsed in 2011, the Baker Family committed to rebuilding the Yard with the same sense of old-time customer service. The new building was finished in 2012. The only thing missing is the train tracks down the middle (those run just outside). Bruce Baker reflected on the collapse, ‘In the short run, it's very difficult, but in the long run it'll be fine,” he said. ‘In 130 years, a lot of things happen & you roll with it. This is one of those things.’
With the building back to full strength, Baker Lumber went back to providing West Michigan contractors and families with good bones for solid homes.
Baker Lumber is creeping up on 150 years of building family in West Michigan. In 2019, Annie Baker —Bruce Baker’s Daughter— assumed new ownership responsibilities.
We’re just getting started.
