KELLER LUMBER COMPANY
ABOUT US
Four Generations of Quality Cedar Products
Keller Lumber Company is a family-owned business set in Roseburg, Oregon. It was founded in 1952 by Clarence Keller and his eldest son Dan following a considerable relocation of their 7-person family from Northern Michigan. In January of 1952, the Keller family purchased a piece of land in Winchester, Oregon that housed an old sawmill. The existing infrastructure would soon become Keller Lumber Company. In just six months the sawmill was up and running. Within the first year, the mill cut approximately one million feet of lumber. Over time the daily output continued to increase, as did the quality of their product.
By the late seventies, Clarence had retired from the industry leaving Dan as the president of the company. Dan’s younger brother John became vice-president. Initially, Keller Lumber was opened as a fir mill. However, the fir industry took a severe plunge during the late seventies and Dan had to make the imminent decision for the conversion to cut cedar. He felt that was the last alternative to keep the mill running. At this time, the sawmill employed 60 people, many being family members. However, as time passed, and more equipment was added to the mill, more skilled workers and crew members were required.
Today, Keller Lumber makes cedar fencing products, balusters, and specialty clear products that are shipped across the United States. The mill cuts a variety of cedar woods including Red Cedar, Incense Cedar and small amounts of Port Orford and Alaskan Yellow Cedar. Keller Lumber now employs close to 100 people and remains one of Douglas County’s only cedar mills. It sits on 6 1/2 acres with an additional 113 acres of back land.
Dan Keller passed away in November of 2017. Julia Keller, Dan’s wife, continued to act as the Company Secretary and Treasurer until her passing in March 2023. Following in their footsteps are the third generation of Keller Lumber. Dan & Julia’s son, Blane Keller has taken over as the company President and Sales Manager. Mike Keller has taken over for his father John as the Vice-President. Kirby Clark, the last third generation member, acts as the Mill Superintendent and Foreman. With the millennia came the fourth generation of family members into the business: Clarence Keller and Troy Keller. Keeping ownership in the family ensures the company’s strength and dedication. The mill continues to operate today, letting the market dictate its next move. The Keller’s have proven themselves in the timber industry as an established, prudent company, ready for the challenges of tomorrow.