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Our Story

Ritter Lumber History 75 years

Ritter Lumber is a successful hardware and building supply company that operates with integrity and seeks to improve the lives of its employees and community.


Ritter Lumber has been a family-owned business for 75 years and we continue to bring those same family values to the workplace today. We are branching out into different aspects of our industry and we are excited to bring our "old time" family values to new age thinking and creativity. As we strive to continue to be the best at what we do, we are also excited about being able to share the experience with our customers. So, thank you for allowing Ritter Lumber to be a part of all your home improvement and building needs.

1947

Booty Ritter (First-Generation) and W. K. McCauley open a small contractor-oriented lumber company in Nederland, Texas. Booty sees an opportunity to provide lumber and building materials to a growing Mid-County.

1968

James “Doc” Ritter (Second-Generation) purchases McCauley’s interest, giving the Ritter family 100% ownership. Ritter Lumber is still 100% family owned.
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1977

Ritter Lumber purchases the Geroge C. Vaughan Co. Warehouse. This allows Ritter Lumber to service homeowners and professional builders.

1987

Allan Ritter (Third-Generation) becomes President of Ritter Lumber. 

1998

Shortly after the 50th anniversary, the company expands twice by adding a full-service Millwork Division in Lufkin and a community-oriented lumber and hardware store in Hemphill, TX.

1999

Ritter Lumber acquires Sherman Lumber, giving Ritter its first Beaumont location.

2002

The company expands with Hemphill Feed and Stock Barn. In Buna, we acquire a hardware store to serve the local community.
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2005

We relocate our Nederland location to Highway 365 to better serve homeowners.

2009

Our 2nd location in Beaumont on Hwy 105 opens to supply homeowners and builders in Beaumont, Lumberton and Sour Lake.

2014

We receive the Spindletop Award given by the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce to businesses that have outstanding corporate citizenship and community impact.

2022

We celebrate our 75th anniversary. Peyton Ritter (Fourth-Generation) is named President of Ritter Lumber. 

2023

Our 5th location opens in Lufkin, TX to continue serving the Lufkin community alongside our Millwork Division.