The year 1907 saw the birth of one of Wichita’s oldest and most reputable companies. The Lumberman’s Supply Company was established in that year with investors and backers that included prominent lumbermen A.C. The business sold brick, coal, cement and various other construction materials that were in high demand in the region at the time. Gilkeson II was the first president of the new enterprise
and it wasn’t long before Gilkeson and his partners were able to buy out their backers and make it on their own. Lumberman’s Supply experienced solid growth in the beginning years and in time, several satellite branches were opened extending the company’s operations and customer base from Kansas City in the north to Oklahoma City in the south. The headquarters always remained in Wichita, Gilkeson’s base of operation. In addition to geographic expansion, the company started to sink deeper roots in its market areas. It began offering both natural and manufactured stone and metal building specialties including hollow metal doors, frames and windows. The owners also acquired The V.V.V. Brick Company in Neodesha, Kansas as well as two cast-stone manufacturing companies, The Cement Stone Company in Wichita and The Trusswall Stone Company in Kansas City, Kansas. While the company expanded it’s offerings, the focus remained brick, stone and masonry construction materials. Therefore, in 1927 the company was renamed and reincorporated as The Lusco Brick & Stone Company. It was a natural change because by this time the shortened “Lusco” had become the name by which the company was generally known. In Wichita, the company offices were located in various locations over time in the downtown area including an innovative showroom at the corner of Water and Douglas in the late 20s. Later, offices moved to the AVI building on West Douglas with warehousing on North Waco. The successes of the Roaring Twenties gave way to the Great Depression of the 30s. Lusco’s fortunes followed the highs and lows of these periods in our nation’s history. By World War II, Lusco had downsized substantially but the basics of the business remained intact. V.V.V Brick and the Cement Stone Company had become unviable and were closed by the time the post-war building boom of the late 40s arrived. In the post-war era, the consolidated Lusco was well prepared to prosper greatly in Wichita, Kansas City and Oklahoma City. By this time, it became apparent that Gilkeson’s son Hunter B. III would take over the future of the company. Although Gilkeson III had entered the business prior to World War II, during which he served as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy, the late 40s was the time when H.B.G. III embraced the brick business. When Gilkeson II died in 1953, the leadership of the company was assumed by Gilkeson III and T.R. Steele was a contemporary of Gilkeson II and one of his partners in the early years of the company. Under Gilkeson III and Steele, all of the remaining operations continued and prospered including The Trusswall Stone Company. In the late 40s Lusco built new Wichita offices at 242 N. Waco on the same site of the Lusco warehouse. The company remained at this location until the City of Wichita took the property for urban renewal in the mid 70s. In the mid 60s, Gilkeson II and Steele acquired the Excelsior Brick Company, a brick manufacturer in Fredonia, Kansas. The mid and late 70s saw much change and consolidation within the brick and building industry. With another generational change emerging in the Lusco organization, the company transformed markedly as well. In the 70s the Trusswall Stone Company was closed and T.R. Steele passed away in 1976 at the age of 94 only six months after his retirement. The Excelsior Brick Company was sold as were the properties where Lusco (and Trusswall) operated in Kansas City and Oklahoma City. By the end of the decade, Lusco’s operations were consolidated to focus on serving the Wichita market area as the premier brick and masonry products distributor. In 1976, Lusco Brick & Stone moved to the site of their current location at 929 E. 14 th Street. Another important leadership change came in 1977. Bruce Gilkeson, son of H.B.G. III and grandson of H.B.G.II assumed operational responsibilities in the company. Under father and son, the ownership of Lusco was consolidated solely into the Gilkeson family’s hands. The new streamlined Lusco Brick, unburdened from the requirements of running remote manufacturing and distribution operations, was now free to focus on serving the Wichita market area. In the years that followed, Lusco worked hard to build strong relationships with many new suppliers of brick and other masonry products. The company continued to enjoy and enhance its position as the leader in service, masonry expertise and reputation to the architectural and residential construction communities of the greater Wichita area. In 1988, Bruce Gilkeson became president of Lusco Brick & Stone. Ten years later Hunter B. Gilkeson III passed away at the age of 89 while still active in the day-to-day operations of the company. In 1999, Lusco acquired interest in General Finance, Inc. of Concordia, Kan., the owner of three brick plants in the state of Kansas. Present
Today, Lusco Brick & Stone Company continues as the leader in providing and introducing architectural and residential masonry products to the Wichita market area. Lusco represents the finest brick manufacturers from around the country and has access to brick from more than 100 different plants providing the widest variety of brick selection for architectural, residential and paving applications. In recent years, Lusco has again seen tremendous growth in the sale of natural and manufactured stone products to both the architectural and residential markets. Another rapidly growing class of masonry material sales for Lusco is in “thin-adhered” products including “thin” brick, natural stone, and manufactured stone. Glass block has been offered since the 1930s but in recent years Lusco has expanded their glass block offerings to include panels and windows. Rounding out the product line are architectural concrete masonry units, concrete hardscape retaining wall and paving products, fireplace and refractory materials and other masonry accessories. The company has also taken great efforts to stay involved in industry and community associations and to encourage and promote continuing education on masonry construction to the design and construction community. In October 2007, the Lusco Brick & Stone Company will celebrate its centennial year in the Wichita market. Future
The future for Lusco Brick looks promising and full of opportunity. The current generation of leadership, while planning for many continued years of involvement, is actively preparing for the next major milestones of the company and for the next generation to come. As in the early days a century ago, we see continued growth manifesting both vertically, with increased market shares and new offerings, and horizontally, with geographic reach. We owe our vision for the future to the many employees and owners who have made Lusco a part of their lives over the last century and to the suppliers around the country that we have partnered with. But most importantly, to the multitude of customers who have allowed us to serve them for 100 years. To all, we extend our deepest appreciation and pledge our continued service.
