History tells us of the story that a 20-year-old Confederate soldier, William Thomas Harvey, came to Columbus in
1863. His home was in Talbot County, but he decided to make his living in Georgia's industrial sector. After an honorable
discharge, W.T. Harvey sawed timber for railroad construction and repairs to continue to support the Confederacy. That
marked the beginning of W.T. Harvey Lumber Company Co. Today, Harvey Lumber Co. is regarded as one of the leading
lumber and building supply companies in the Chattahoochee Valley area.
Harvey Lumber has had to fight for its survival since the very beginning. A fire claimed the store in 1891,and again in 1896.
If fire hazards weren't enough, the company was also damaged on several occasions by tornadoes. Economic trouble was
also no stranger to Harvey Lumber Company. It has survived several recessions, and the Great Depression of the 1930's.
In spite of these natural disasters and economic struggles, the company has continued to grow and push forward, always
rebuilding and looking towards the future.
Innovation and presentation have always been Harvey trademarks. In the early 1930's, Harvey Lumber became very successful with its painted delivery trucks, fast deliveries, and effective display of merchandise. General Manager Wilfred E. Gross Sr. also implemented an effective advertising campaign, by donating 300 wooden benches with the company name painted on it. These benches were strategically placed in public and park areas for maximum exposure.
Harvey Lumber has had to fight for its survival since the very beginning. A fire claimed the store in 1891,and again in 1896.
If fire hazards weren't enough, the company was also damaged on several occasions by tornadoes. Economic trouble was
also no stranger to Harvey Lumber Company. It has survived several recessions, and the Great Depression of the 1930's.
In spite of these natural disasters and economic struggles, the company has continued to grow and push forward, always
rebuilding and looking towards the future.Innovation and presentation have always been Harvey trademarks. In the early 1930's, Harvey Lumber became very successful with its painted delivery trucks, fast deliveries, and effective display of merchandise. General Manager Wilfred E. Gross Sr. also implemented an effective advertising campaign, by donating 300 wooden benches with the company name painted on it. These benches were strategically placed in public and park areas for maximum exposure.
Continuing with the innovation started by his father, Wilfred E. Gross Jr. developed a method in the 1960's to serve multiple
customers in the lumberyard without delay or congestion, through use of perimeter sheds. The sheds were so effective that
representatives from other companies observed this design firsthand, and many implemented this into their own business
infrastructure. Perhaps the most famous of all of Harvey Lumber Company's innovations, was the creation of a character by the name of "Little Harvey". Little Harvey has been in many commercials throughout the Columbus area, always reciting that famous Harvey phrase "Buy where the builders buy!" Little Harvey has also been seen on many billboards throughout the years in Columbus. The captions are always clever, with slogans that include: "If You Can't Get ABOARD, Get A Plank" and "Buy A Foot From Us, We'll Make You a Ruler."
Through innovation, perseverance, and focus on the customer, Harvey Lumber Company continues to prove itself indeed as "Lumber 1", through the best customer service, quality products, and competitive pricing!
