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Ferguson Lumber, Veedersburg, In., opened a 9,000-sq. ft. Do it Best hardware store in Coatesville, In., with an additional 2,000 sq. ft. for service, office and storeroom space.
The new store, Ferguson Do it Best Hardware, will be holding a grand opening celebration Labor Day weekend—from Friday Aug. 29 to Monday Sept. 1. Attendees will be treated to door prizes, hot dogs, popcorn and special pricing.
Ferguson Lumber Corp. has been one of the leading businesses in West Central Indiana for over 158 years. It is the oldest active family retail lumber company operating in the state of Indiana. Ferguson Lumber has maintained its family roots and is now in its fifth generation. Over the decades, numerous state and trade awards have been given to the corporation and its owners.
In 1868, Solon Ferguson, father of Walter and Will Ferguson, moved from East St. Louis, Il., and established a sawmill at its original location in Rockville, In. Solon was killed in a boiler sawmill explosion, and the destruction of the mill by fire in 1897. Overcoming this tragedy, the business continued to grow through the efforts of his sons, Will and Walter. In 1937 a partnership was formed consisting of Will and Walter Ferguson and Brooks Collings. Brooks had begun working for the company in 1910 following his marriage to Will’s daughter, Mary Frank.
The business prospered under Brooks Collings management and survived another disastrous fire in the summer of 1952. A few years before the fire, Brooks' sons, Paul and Dick, joined the firm. Following the death of Brooks in 1966, Paul took charge as President and led the company until his untimely death in 1970. Paul's brother, Dick assumed the role of President, and his son Joe joined the company in 1973.
Several corporate mottos began to find themselves within the sacred walls, but the one most often found was that of “service” being of the utmost importance to those served in West Central Indiana. This service could be found in all lines of building materials. From commodity to hardware, Ferguson Lumber found itself providing what was needed with professional advice for its intended use. We pride ourselves in offering that same level of service today.
In 2000, the corporation lost Dick Collings, and Joe was asked to assume the role of President of the business. The expansion to the Veedersburg, Indiana facility, a full-service lumberyard and hardware facility was made possible. In 2004, The company moved into Hendricks County, serving the Danville greater community with its hardware needs. The success of the company has been due to the principle of always taking a genuine interest in the customer. The entire staff works to make sure every customer point of contact is both positive and productive.
For several years, the company has reviewed the western Hendricks and eastern Putnam counties for possible expansion. In the fall of 2021, a purchase of land adjacent to Teal Lake in Coatesville was executed in order to build a new hardware facility to best serve the area. Construction began in 2023.
