Until its closure in 1992, the San Dimas Lumber Company was the longest continually operating business in San Dimas. It was established in 1888 at the SW corner of Bonita and San Dimas Avenue, and in 1904 was taken over and incorporated by J. S. Billheimer, W. A. and James A. Johnstone, Frank Harwood and R. M. Teague. At this time, the business was moved to Railway and Depot Streets, where it remained to serve the building needs of the community. The materials for the San Dimas Grammar School, the County Fire Station, the Voorhis School, the Masonic Temple and the American Legion building, as well as many of the homes in the area, were supplied by this home town business. In 1923, Mr. Billheimer moved to Pasadena, and Stanley Plummer, with his wife Shirley, came to San Dimas to manage the Lumber Company. In the same year, Stanley’s parents, Charles and Retta Welch Plummer, with his sister Marian were settling in the Billheimers’ former ranch home on the northeast corner of San Dimas Avenue and Gladstone. They had moved from Redlands, where Stanley was born. During the Depression and World War II, the building business was very poor, but by adding a hardware department and offering much personal service, the Lumber Company kept going. Long-time and faithful employees included Pilar Vera, Tom Gore, Ernest Weiss, and Tim Berry. In 1946, the Plummers purchased the business and for a time, operated a branch yard in La Verne. After the War, there was considerable expansion, including the acquisition of larger trucks, fork-lifts, and expanded storage facilities. In 1966 the old office was replaced by a modern office and hardware center. |
In 1956 and 57, Thomas E. Gore and Tim D. Berry became co-owners, and when Stanley retired in 1976, a developer from Glendora, Karl Spoerl, and Leroy Bell, a business executive, purchased the business. Stanley and Shirley Plummer had met while students at Pomona College and married soon after graduation. From the time that they moved into their new home at 416 N. San Dimas Ave, in 1923, they were good neighbors, and leaders in the town of about 2,000 residents.
They were both active in the Union Church (later the Community Church. Stanley helped found the San Dimas Masonic Lodge and the San Dimas Service Club, was active in the Chamber of Commerce, and at one time or another, President of each. Shirley was active in the Wednesday Afternoon Club and the Inter Nos Club (both women’s groups), and in the 1950’s, helped found the San Dimas Woman’s Club. In 1925 and 1926, they were instrumental in the Chamber entering a Float in the Pasadena Rose Parade, built entirely by volunteers, on one of the Lumber Company trucks. The 1926 entry won 3rd place in its class, and the tall Silver Vase may be seen at the Historical Society. When it became apparent in the late 1950’s that if San Dimas was to keep its identity it must incorporate, Stanley was one of the leaders of this movement. He received the most votes in the subsequent election of Councilmen, so was selected by the Council as our first Mayor and served us well in getting the City started. After Shirley’s death, Stanley married Lela Ann Hathaway and had four happy years with her until his death in 1987. |
