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The William D. Bowers Lumber CompanyThe Wm. D. Bowers Lumber Company is now one of the oldest family-founded-and-owned businesses in Frederick.The Bowers Lumber Company business was originally founded by William D. Bowers as a gram-milling enterprise in about 1854. It was first located at the former Reifsnider Mill on the Gas House Pike, now the location of the Frederick City waste water treatmeent plant along the Monocacy River. Mr. Bowers was joined in this enterprise by his father-in-law, Joseph Routzahn. Corn was ground there, and flour was made.During the Civil War, in addition to performing a custom-milling operation' for local consumption, the business was also required to provide supplies for both the Union and Confederate armies at different times.In 1868, because the use of steam power was rapidly replacing the water wheel, the firm was moved into Frederick, on East Patrick Street. Here a planing mill was established, under the name of Routzahn Bowers.In those days there was limited rail service into Frederick, so lumber had to be brought down from Western Maryland on the Chesapeake Ohio Canal, stopping near Point of Rocks. The Bowers Company would then send its teams of horses to relay the loads of Appalachian White Pine into Frederick to their planing mill.The business grew and continued as a partnership until 1886, when Mr. Routzahn died. Mr. William D. Bowersbecame the sole owner. In 1888 Mr. Bowers died and the enterprise was then taken over by his wodow, Charlotte, and two of Mr. Bowers’ sons, Harry W. and Grayson E. Bowers. The operation of the grist mill, which in early years had kept the business active in the winter, when there was less activity in lumber, was discontinued in 1896 because of the growth of the lumber and millwork business.Mr. Grayson E. Bowers became the sole owner in 1917. In 1936 he sold his interest in the firm to his three sons, Mr. G. Hunter Bowers, Mr Charles F. Bowers, and Mr. Martin L. Bowers, Sometime later Mr. Charles F. Bowers, an independent architect in Frederick, disposed of his interest to the two remaining brothers, and at the death of Mr. Martin L. Bowers in 1971, Mr. G. Hunter Bowers Sr., assumed the sole ownership of the firm.The Bowers Lumber Company maintained its establishment at the original site on the northwest corner of the East Patrick and East Streets intersection until 1969, when the property was taken, over by the Federal Government for the anticipated Post Office expansion. At that time the lumber company’s retail operation and business office was moved to their attractive and enlarged location at Sixth and East Street, where it is today.The larger and principal function oi the company — the manufacturing, millwork, and concentration yard activities — were moved to their 19-acre industrial site on the outskirts ofWoodsboro.The company continues to be an active, growing, and viable force in the home and building supply areas, along with doing extensive custom millwork, producing building components and manufactured homes, and roof and floor truss fabrication, servicing this regional, four-state area.At the retail level the company maintains a complete Home Sc Building Center facility at its Sixth and East Street location and operates a comprehensive custom kitchen and remodeling department, staffed by its own fine artisans.As the company moves into the finalquarter of the 20th century, it is truly equipped to serve the many facets of building needs in this expanding Central Maryland area. Exemplary facilities and a lengthy list of highly qualified craftsmen continue to make the organization, which has contributed to much of the fine building in this area, a vigorious force on the construction scene in Frederick County today.A further commitment to the future of the Bowers Company manifests itself in the form of Charles M. Bowers, a fifth generation lumberman, who has recently joined the company after receiving his Master’s Degree in Business Education.The Bowers Lumber Co. building, at the northwest comer of the East and E. Patrick Street interchange, was one of Frederick’s landmarks. The building was demolished to facilitate the building of a new Post Office, awaiting construction, the lot has been vacant for some years.
Newspaper Details
Frederick Foundations
Frederick, Maryland, US
Mon, Oct 20, 1975
Page 2
Full Page
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Frederick C.
MD, USA 25 Sep 2024
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