History

Truckee is nestled in the Sierra Mountains of California, just north of scenic Lake Tahoe. Home of the infamous Donner Party, Truckee grew tremendously in the mid-to-late 1800’s becoming a place for gold miners, loggers, and railroad builders to congregate and get supplies. Today, the area is a popular year-round vacation destination.

In 1931, Truckee-Tahoe Lumber Company was founded by E.T. Robie and the Auburn Lumber Company. The site on which the Truckee lumber yard exists previously housed Elle Ellen’s sawmill, which was established in 1868 and was one of first sawmills in the state. The Tahoe City site was originally the Watson Planing Mill.

In 1940, Charles B. Cross, (whose father founded Cross Lumber Company of Merced in the mid-1880’s), purchased 40% of Truckee-Tahoe Lumber Company and became its general manager. In 1950, Charles B. Cross purchased the remaining share of Truckee-Tahoe Lumber Company and his son, Charles “Chal” Cross, started working for his father. At that time, the building season was limited to the summer months and a year’s worth of profits had to be made between Memorial Day through Labor Day.

In 1964 the four-lane, all-weather Interstate 80 was completed. This enabled more people to travel to the area in less time, and eventually began the trend of second-home construction.

In 1968, Charles B. Cross passed away and “Chal” Cross and Sally Cross Vance took over the ownership of the company. In 1972, his son, Embree Cross, started working for the company, becoming general manager in 1979. Currently, Embree and his wife, Ruth, own and operate Truckee-Tahoe Lumber Company.

Notables

1931 – Truckee-Tahoe Lumber Company was founded
1960 - Truckee-Tahoe Lumber Company supplied the lumber to the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley
1975 - New Store constructed in Truckee
1985 – Tahoe City Yard was rebuilt
1988 - Door Shop began operations
1989 - Ruth Cross started Home Concepts, a kitchen and bath design center
2002 - A new dry shed was constructed in Truckee, designed to protect lumber during the harsh winter months. Home Concepts completed their new showroom.