The History of Hughes Family of
Businesses
In 1888 Thomas Hughes
purchased the assets of Elmore Martin's Brick Yard, located at
Around 1904, H.C. Burn
started working for the Hughes Company and in 1910 Mr. Hughes sold his company
to the Burn brothers H.C. and Ernest P. [The mortgage listed: (2) mules and
harness, (3) carts, and all other articles on the premises including brick, lumber,
and lime.]
Four years later in 1914,
H.C. Burn bought his brothers half interest in the company, some growth can be
noted from comparing bill of sales. An
additional mule was added as well as gravel, terra cotta piping, and a truck.
In 1947, H.C. Burn became
ill and H. Cameron Burn. Jr. was forced to leave college to direct Hughes
Lumber. Mr. Burn, Sr. never fully
recovered and H. Cameron Burn, Jr. assumed complete leadership, guiding Hughes
Lumber through the turbulent post war period to today's Hughes Lumber;
peninsula
In 1953, C.L.
"Buddy" Smith joined Hughes Company as sales manager overseeing sales
for the next 38 years until his retirement in 1991. By 1957 a major addition was made to
the main building, and the company was
incorporated as Hughes Lumber and Building Supply Company, Inc. In 1971 Hughes joined the American
Hardware cooperative and subsequently became the leading ServiStar outlet in
By 1983 John Burn and
Edward Burn had joined their father in operating Hughes Lumber, becoming the
third generation actively participating in providing exceptional services and
products to the citizens of
In 1983 Hughes Rental
Company, Inc. was created, doing business as Hughes Equipment and Rental Supply
Company under the leadership of John Burn. In 1993 Hughes Party
Rental was opened to provide tents and party supplies.
In 1997 John Burn opened Hughes Equipment and Party Rental at
A boating enthusiast and
somewhat of a history buff, Cam Burn has done considerable research on the
property his company now occupies at 82 Mary St. During the Civil War, the first floor of the
two story frame building on the property was used as a tavern. The operator of the tavern and his family
lived on the second floor. Long boats
would come up a tidewater creek from the
Back in 1970 workmen were
digging in the lumberyard to place poles for a new lumber shed and uncovered
the tracks of the “Best Friend”.
This was the first regularly scheduled railroad train pulled by a steam
locomotive. The “Best Friend” started operations Christmas Day, 1830.
Hughes Lumber has been able
to capitalize on its location to serve residents of the peninsula. "We're
doing everything we can to provide the best service and best merchandise
available for those who come in here to do business", says Cam Burn, "Anything the homeowner or contractor
wants can usually be found here."
The Hughes
Co. (1939) Hughes Lumber Co. (1956)
Hughes Lumber & Bldg. Sup. Co., Inc (1962)
Hughes Lumber & Bldg. Supply Co.,
Inc. (Present Day)
Today Hughes Family of
Businesses has over 40 employees providing service to the greater
Hughes Lumber and Building Supply * Phone:
Hughes Equipment Rental * Phone:
Hughes Equipment and Party Rental * (Mt. Pleasant) * Phone: (843)
881-
* Fax:
Send email to Hughes Family of Businesses for more information or
general comments.
Looking for a special item that is hard to find? Send an email to
our Buyer and he will let you know if we stock
it or if it is available through our warehouse order.