About Us

South City Lumber

Nestled along the West side of San Francisco Bay and just North of the San Francisco International Airport is South City Lumber & Supply.

Founded in 1898 as San Francisco Planing Mill Company, a facility where seasoned boards that came from the surrounding sawmills were turned into dimensional lumber for use. Because of our central location we soon became known amongst the local builders as South San Francisco Lumber Company. Then in 1908 when the city of South San Francisco became incorporated we changed our name to what it is today, South City Lumber & Supply.

Originally we were located at the corner of Baden Avenue and Linden Avenue in South San Francisco where this 1910 photo was taken. In 1927 we moved to our present 3.5 acre location at the corner of Railroad Avenue and Linden Avenue. With our rich history in the community and the fact that our original storefront is still standing from 1927, we were designated a historic site by the South San Francisco Historical Society and Historical Preservation Commission in 1991.

The Mid-century brought population growth to the Bay Area and a big demand for housing. The surrounding agricultural land and hills were quickly developed into the towns and suburbs we see today. The 50s housing boom also introduced us to the tract home and with it a demand for wood frame construction. Since our roots go Bay Area deep, we were able to provide builders and contractors up and down the Peninsula and San Francisco the lumber and building materials they needed to build the communities and neighborhoods we now call home.

In 1971, John Bacon, Sr. purchased South City Lumber & Supply. John’s career in the lumber business began in the early 50’s at San Bruno Lumber Company. In 1964 he purchased San Mateo Lumber with his father-in-law William W. Jackson. In 1971 he left San Bruno Lumber and acquired South City Lumber and Supply in South San Francisco. In 1975 he purchased Economy Lumber Company, Oakland, and in 2010 Piedmont Lumber in Oakland, now Economy Lumber Piedmont. In over six decades John built one of the largest groups of lumber and building material companies in Northern California. By understanding the needs of professional contractors, his companies were able to thrive and grow in the face of competition and an ever changing marketplace.

Today, South City Lumber & Supply is still in the Bacon family, and is managed by one of John’s sons, Tom Bacon. Though times have changed, the business remains the same, a full-service lumber yard, Do it Best hardware store, and Window & Door Showroom. As always, we strive to serve the professional builder, contractor and homeowner with the highest quality lumber and building materials available at competitive prices with unmatched customer service.