136 Main Street                Larkin Lumber Co.          Telephone: 978-562-3217

       Hudson, MA 01749                                                     SINCE 1882                                                       Facsimile:  978-568-3494

--MILLWORK-PAINTS-HARDWARE-HARDWOODS--

* "BUILDING TRADITIONS FOR OVER 125 YEARS" *

 

A Complete Line of Building Materials

 

  • Company History and Timeline
  • Founded in 1882 as Robertson and Larkin Lumber Company. James Robertson, a woodsman by trade, runs the sawmill operation in what is now the town of Rutland, MA. Edgar P. Larkin, a carpenter by trade, runs the lumberyard operation in Hudson, MA. Lumber was shipped by rail from the sawmill operation to a rail spur in the yard in Hudson.
  • 1913 - A waterwheel is installed on the dam located in the yard in Hudson. This provides water power to run the sawmill locally. Sawmill operations are moved from Rutland, and a workshop and sawmill are opened in Hudson. Delivery service by (2) horsedrawn carts is offerred.
  • 1916 - James Robertson passes away, and his share of the business is bought by Edgar Larkin. Larkin Lumber Company as it is known today is incorporated. Edgar Larkin's son, Lester, joins the company as the second generation.
  • 1924 - Lloyd Larkin Parker joins the firm. He is the grandson of Edgar Larkin and the son of Edgar's daughter Lelia and her husband, G.Woodbury Parker. He represents the third generation to work for the business.
  • 1932 - Edgar Larkin passes away at the age of 82. He leaves the business to his son Lester, and grandson, Lloyd Parker. A major flood leaves nearly 2 feet of water in downtown Hudson and submerges much of the yard.
  • 1938 - A major east coast Hurricane seriously damages and puts a permanent end to sawmill operations. Shop work continues after converting the workshop to electric power from water power.
  • 1947 - Lloyd Parker's oldest son, Alan, joins the firm and is the fourth generation to work in the family business.
  • 1963 - Lloyd Parker's son, David, joins the firm.
  • 1965 - A new office and showroom is constructed. The company continues to convert from manually loading and unloading materials to the use of hyrdaulic forklifts.
  • 1976 - Alan Parker's son-in law, Robert Brissette joins the firm.
  • 1980 - David Parker's oldest son Jefferey joins the company. He represents the 5th generation to join the business. An addition to the showroom doubles floor space and allows an expansion in product lines to include electrical, plumbing, and gardening.
  • 1982 - David Parker's son Gregory joins the business.
  • 1986 - Alan Parker's oldest son, Brian joins the business.
  • 1992 - A major fire destroys a large storage building located behind the office. While the office was saved, the storage building was a total loss, and was never replaced.
  • 1997 - A major fire heavily damages the old workshop. Some equipment and materials are saved, but the building is torn down. A new modern woodworking facility is constructed in its place. Alan Parker's second son, Barry, joins the company.
  • 2002 - Blair Brissette joins the company. He is the grandson of Alan Parker and the son of Robert Brissette, and represents the 6th generation.
  • 2007 - Larkin Lumber Company celebrates its 125th year of doing business. It is the longest continuously run business in Hudson.