Angeles Millwork & Lumber Co. has been serving our community since 1906 and Hartnagel Building Supply since 1960.
The employee-owned lumber yards and hardware stores have provided Port Angeles and the greater Olympic Peninsula with experienced employee-owners who offer a high level of friendly customer service and valuable industry knowledge to the homeowner, Do-It-Yourselfer, and professional contractor.
A little history…
As employee-owners, we have a sense of pride in what came before us and how it has molded us into the company we are today.
Founded by Felix and Ishmael Filion, Angeles Millwork & Lumber Company first began as the Filion Mill & Lumber Co. In 1892, Ishmael operated a mill in Huron County, Michigan, working with native hardwoods too small and limited for their desired applications. At the same time, Felix Filion was in Port Angeles and wrote Ishmael about the significant number of large logs available in the Clallam County area. With the news of log sizes only previously dreamed of the mill was shipped to Port Angeles on the steamer Island Belle.
Transported by horse-drawn truck, the mill was assembled at what is now the corner of 11th and B street and was in running order in May of 1893.
The logging for the mill was done with oxen from the east end of Clallam County and progressed into using a donkey engine locomotive and cars that ran on a track built with wooden rails. The mill primarily produced dimensional lumber and shingles for the peninsula.
In 1903 the mill burned to the ground in a large fire. Many building projects within Port Angeles were delayed because the Filion Mill was the primary source of lumber and shingles.
The mill was rebuilt at our current store location producing an average of 35,000 board feet of lumber and 70,000 shingles in a day.
Angeles Millwork & Lumber Co. Inc. quickly became the largest employer in Port Angeles with up to 55 employees and, even then, was always at the forefront of employee benefits. It is rumored to be one of the first companies in the U.S. to offer a retirement package.
Angeles Millwork & Lumber Company went through many changes as the local lumber yard and hardware store. It made a transition to millwork, windows, and moldings in the ’40s, and chances are, if you have a single-paned wood window on the peninsula, it was most likely produced at the local facility.
The store went through additional changes and was remodeled in 1978 and completely rebuilt in 1997 to meet the needs of growth. Much of the business’ focus has transferred from the production end of building materials to retail sales and contractor services.
Much like Angeles Millwork & Lumber Co. Inc, Hartnagel Building Supply has supplied building materials through multiple locations in Port Angeles since 1960.
Hartnagel, translated as “Hard Nail,” in Dutch was initially owned and operated by Nelson and Audrey Hartnagel. The store specialized in the rail delivery of building supplies on what is now the new location of the Field Arts & Events Hall.
Audrey Hartnagel later passed away at the age of 108 in 2014.
In 1984 Arnold & Debbie Schouten became part of the founding partners of Lumber Traders, Inc., the parent company of Angeles Millwork & Lumber Co. and Hartnagel Building Supply, and eventually acquired full ownership in the companies in 1989.
While Arnold held the positions of CEO/President and Debbie maintained Secretary/Treasurer positions, they were instrumental in both locations’ daily management and success.
In January 2004, Arnold and Debbie Schouten rewarded their dedicated employees by creating the only 100% ESOP company headquartered in Port Angeles.
Arnold and Debbie felt a devotion to their employees, and they wanted to provide a secure and profitable future for them. By creating an ESOP, the employee shareholders can significantly influence the direction and success of the Company’s future and themselves.
Both Arnold and Debbie have remained on the Board of Directors while fulfilling an advisory role when needed.
In the following years, Lumber Traders saw some of the best of times and some of the worst of times in the Company’s history.
Through it all, Angeles Millwork & Lumber Co. and Hartnagel Building Supply have stayed true to providing quality building materials from knowledgeable employee-owners to our many loyal and greatly appreciated customers.
Trusting this approach through all the ups and downs of the economy, along with the influx of big box stores, has been the key reason our Companies have succeeded serving the local communities of the Olympic Peninsula for the last 100+ years.
