Our History

1948

Rhodes Lumber Co.

A neighborhood lumber and supply company, Rhodes Lumber Co. was established in 1948 by businessman Dusty Rhodes. Nested just off scenic Maybank Highway, Rhodes Lumber Company became a staple for homeowners and builders in the Lowcountry. After nearly 30 years of ownership, in 1975 Mr. Rhodes offered to sell his small business to Margaret and Eddie Buck.

1975

Buck Lumber is Born

As James Island became a residential destination and development began on Kiawah and Seabrook Islands, the market was just right for Eddie and his wife, Margaret, to take Mr. Rhodes up on his offer. Buck Lumber started with just six employees (one founding team member is still working at Buck today), and a foundation built on five principles: competitive prices, exceptional service, technical competence, quality products, and local ownership. Specializing in southern yellow pine, cypress and fir, Buck Lumber quickly became a premiere full-line supply company.

1989

The Dome Comes to Life

Enter Hurricane Hugo. Barreling into Charleston at a speed of 135mph and bearing a 5-foot tidal surge, Hugo took out just about everything in his path————including Buck Lumber’s four storage buildings and about 40% of inventory. While this was a devastating loss, Eddie took it as an opportunity to create a larger facility to house product under one roof.  And so he did. Appropriately named “The Lumber Dome,” the nearly one-acre facility greatly increased productivity, and allowed semi-trucks to pull in and out without getting materials wet in bad weather.

2008

The Design Center is Built

With such an extensive array of custom options available for design, the Buck family built the Design Center to let clients see what products will look like inside of their homes. It was also erected to serve as a meeting place for builders, architects and homeowners to consult with sales specialists. This 6,000 square foot facility is the only one of its kind in the Charleston area and showcases windows, custom entry doors, millwork, trust joist, pre-finished siding, prime treated lumber, wood flooring, railing systems, decking, columns, and hardware.

Today

A Classic Family Business

After nearly forty years of ownership, the Buck family is proud to employ over thirty hard-working team members that are both passionate and knowledgeable about their industry. The sense of family within Buck Lumber is extended to employees and business relationships alike. Today, the small lumber yard that was once Rhodes Lumber Co. has grown into a sprawling 5 acre facility at the forefront of the material supply business———yet the warm, welcoming family atmosphere remains the same.