When you partner with South City you get more than a handshake, you get our promise to deliver the best lumber, building supply and hardware available at a competitive price.
South City Lumber & Supply
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 Bay Area sawmills were milled into dimensional lumber. Because of their central location they soon became known amongst builders as South San Francisco Lumber Company.
In 1908 when the city of South San Francisco became incorporated the name was changed to what it is today, South City Lumber & Supply Company.
South City Lumber & Supply Co. as seen in this vintage 1910 photograph.
Originally located at the corner of Baden Avenue and Linden Avenue in South San Francisco, the photo from 1910 captures our first storefront. In 1927, we relocated to our current 3.5-acre site at the corner of Railroad Avenue and Linden Avenue, where we have remained ever since.
With deep roots in the community and the fact that our original 1927 storefront is still standing, we were honored to be designated a historic site by the South San Francisco Historical Society and the Historical Preservation Commission in 1991.
South San Francisco as seen in this 1921 aerial photograph with red circled location.
The mid-20th century brought a surge of population growth to the Bay Area, creating a significant demand for housing. Agricultural land and surrounding hills were rapidly transformed into the towns and suburbs we know today. This housing boom of the 1950s introduced the iconic tract home and, along with it, a growing need for wood-frame construction.
With deep roots in the Bay Area, we were uniquely positioned to supply builders and contractors throughout the Peninsula and San Francisco with the lumber and building materials essential for shaping the communities and neighborhoods we now call home.
Aerial survey photo showing South City Lumber & Supply.
In 1971, John Bacon, Sr. purchased South City Lumber & Supply Company, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his long and successful career in the lumber industry. John’s journey in the business began in the early 1950s at San Bruno Lumber Company, where he gained invaluable experience. By 1964, he had partnered with his father-in-law, William W. Jackson, to acquire San Mateo Lumber, further solidifying his presence in the industry.
Seeking new opportunities, John departed from San Bruno Lumber in 1971, driven by his entrepreneurial spirit. In 1975, he expanded his vision by acquiring Economy Lumber Company in Oakland, further establishing his presence in the industry. His growth continued in 2010 when he acquired Piedmont Lumber, later rebranding it as Economy Lumber Piedmont.
Over the course of more than six decades, John built one of the largest and most successful groups of lumber and building material companies in Northern California. His ability to understand the needs of professional contractors and adapt to an ever-changing marketplace allowed his companies to not only survive but thrive, even in the face of intense competition.
Tom Bacon with Lynn and John Bacon, Sr.
Today, South City Lumber & Supply remains proudly in the hands of the Bacon family, managed by John’s son, Tom Bacon. While times have evolved, the essence of the business has stayed the same — offering a full-service lumber yard, a Do it Best hardware store, and an extensive Window & Door Showroom.
Our commitment to serving professional builders, contractors, and homeowners remains as strong as ever. We continue to provide the highest quality lumber and building materials at competitive prices, backed by unmatched customer service.
