Oklee Lumber, Inc. Celebrates their 70th Anniversary

Oklee Lumber Yard was the second lumber yard built in Oklee. It was first owned and operated by Dan Rolland from 1914 to 1942. During World War II the business closed and was put up for sale. Four years later Tom and Betty Melby purchased the building in 1946. With the help of his sons, Tommy and Cliff, they made Oklee Lumber a successful business. 

In 1976 Cliff bought the lumber yard and had the business incorporated. Today Oklee Lumber Inc. is still in business and run by Isaac Melby who bought it in 2004. Isaac makes the third generation of Melby’s to own the Oklee Lumber Yard. 

Things have changed since Tom Melby owned the Lumber Yard. The materials for their business used to be brought in by train and hauled from the tracks to the Lumber Yard by Tom Toulouse and Omer Boucher with Tom’s big Belgian Horses. Today, seventy years later, the materials are shipped in semi-trucks and unloaded by fork lifts. 

Devin Lambert and Sydney Melby have been helping Oklee Lumber, Inc. this summer during their busiest time.

Cliff Melby, John Melby, Mike Dessellier, Norm Coulombe  and Tracy Hamm are also a big part in making Oklee Lumber, Inc. as successful as it is today.

Oklee Lumber Inc. will be having rolls and coffee for the public as well as a sidewalk sale and drawings.

On Market Day they will be open on August 13 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.