Casper Ranger Lumber Company (1879-1920)

 When identifying Holyoke's prolific commercial builders, the name Casper Ranger and his construction company rise toward the top of the list. This subject will be discussed in a future blog post, as today the focus is on another of his successful enterprises: the Casper Ranger Lumber Company.

Casper Ranger was born in Mulhouse, Département du Haut-Rhin, Alsace, France, on January 9, 1850. His family emigrated to the United States, settling in Holyoke when he was 9 years old. Interestingly, yet likely not surprising for the era, he went to work at age 8 while living in France.

Mr. Ranger learned the basics of the building trade while working under the supervision of renowned Holyoke builder Watson Ely. As a foreman for Watson Ely, Casper Ranger supervised the building of City Hall and the Holyoke Opera House. He later went out on his own in the latter part of the 1870s and started his own construction company. 

In 1882 and 1883, Mr. Ranger acquired property along the easterly side of Bond Street and the southerly side of Appleton Street. The first parcel of land was purchased from Curtis Moore in 1882, and the second from the Holyoke Water Power Company in 1883. It was on these two 8,800 square-foot parcels that Mr. Ranger built his lumberyard and offices for his construction and lumber businesses. 

In 1889, Casper Ranger's spouse, Ellen Ranger, purchased land along the easterly side of Bond Street from the corner of Essex (124' x 80') from Daniel Newton and the estate of Esther Newton. Ellen Ranger purchased a second parcel, north of her first (96' x80'), from Esther McClellan of Whately. 

The result of Casper Ranger's 2 land purchases and Esther Ranger's 2 land purchases was that the Rangers owned the entirety bounded by the east side of Bond Street from Essex to Appleton Streets, as outlined in the map below. (~ 424' along Bond Street x 80' to the rail tracks with an easement secured from James Newton for a 40' passageway to the rear of the buildings. The 1889 Sanborn map is shown below to illustrate the combined land mass.

The Casper Ranger Company was one of the four major lumber companies in Holyoke, along with Watson Ely & Son, E. Chase & Sons, and Merrick Lumber Company. For a period into the mid-1890s, the four lumber yards were part of a combine, seeking lower prices from suppliers. The decision to purchase or not to purchase lumber was agreed upon and followed by all. 

The lumber yard included lumber sheds, a business office, and a sawing and planing mill, which was the centerpiece of the business. Doors, sashes, moldings, blinds, and window and door frames were built to customer specifications. Water tanks and dye tubs were manufactured for commercial use. Customers could purchase high-quality lumber for their projects.

The Casper Ranger Lumber Company and Casper Ranger Construction Company were each granted corporation status in 1912. The directors of the corporation were Casper Ranger, President and Treasurer, Herbert S. Clark and James A. Ranger, son of Casper Ranger. 

Casper Ranger died in October 1912, leaving a lasting legacy in both construction work and the operation of the lumberyard. He had served the city as a common councilman in the 1870s and as an alderman from 1881 to 1883. 

The lumber company continued to expand its product line to include the manufacture of window screens, screen doors, storm windows and wood shingles. For those who did not want wood shingles, the company had Reynolds asphalt shingles in stock. 

The mid-1910s saw the lumberyard's growth, which provided construction and installation services. Garages, storm porches, cabinetry and home interior work were advertised to customers.

In 1914, the company was awarded the contract to produce a Gothic lectern for the Grace Congregational Church.

In 1915, corporate control of both entities rested with Joseph F., William E. and James A. Ranger, sons of the founder.

With lumber ever-present, there was always a concern about fire, which occasionally occurred and caused no significant damage during this early period. The next chapter will reveal a fire that caused the largest economic loss in the city's history up to that point and affected several businesses.

Citations:

Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; publication dates and pages are shown.

Ancestry.com (paid subscription): Price & Lee Holyoke, Massachusetts, City Directories

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, Holyoke, Massachusetts, 1884

Holyoke Old and New, Fiftieth Anniversary, Dillon Printing and Publishing Co., Holyoke, Mass. 1923

Holyoke Daily Transcript, 30th Anniversary, 1882-1912

A History of Hampden County, Vol. 3, The Century Memorial Publishing Company, 1902

 The 4 parcels separately acquired by Casper Ranger (1882 & 1883)

and his spouse Ellen Ranger (2 acquired 1889)

are shown as combined to illustrate the Casper Lumber Co. property. 

Deed from Curtis Moore to Casper Ranger (1882) 

land and sheds at the southeast corner of Bond and Appleton Streets.

Deed from Holyoke Water Power Co. to Casper Ranger,

land continuing southerly along Bond Street from the above-identified parcel.

1889 Deed from Daniel Newton & the Esther Newton Est. to Ellen Ranger 

(land & buildings running north from the northeast corner of Essex and Bond Streets)

1889 Deed from Esther McClellan to Ellen Ranger 

(land & buildings north of preceding deed.)

September 1889  Easement- 

James Newton grants an easement of a 40' passageway running from Essex to Appleton Street.

Built 1890 - 507 Appleton Street