LOK-N-LOGS began as a direct result of America’s Bicentennial. Fort Stanwix, located in the heart of Rome, New York and the first to fly the American flag in battle, played a vital role in the Revolutionary War. However, the fort, originally built in 1776 with double log walls, fell into disrepair a few years after independence was won. To celebrate the bicentennial, the people of Rome, New York, convinced the federal government to rebuild Fort Stanwix. In fact, this particular National Parks project was the largest single bicentennial effort in the nation.

Jim Webb started LOK-N-LOGS in 1975 in order to provide the logs for the restoration of Fort Stanwix in Rome, NY. The job took 55 trailer loads of logs with every log precut and marked for easy assembly. Not long after the restoration of Fort Stanwix was underway, historic Fort Wayne in Indiana called LOK-N-LOGS with a similar project. Fort Wayne needed 30 trailer loads and, because Fort Wayne was built in the nineteenth century, the milling techniques were totally different. In 1978 a third fort was shipped 1700 miles to Fort Atkinson, Nebraska.

 Since our log home beginnings, we have worked hard to refine our manufacturing and treatment processes. As a result, LOK-N-LOGS has become one of the nation’s leading producers of peeled, precut log home packages. The following timeline shows the progression of LOK-N-LOGS and a reflection of the growth of the precut log industry.

1975

Jim Webb and crew fabricate logs for the Fort Stanwix and Fort Wayne restoration projects.  These projects take 85 trailer loads of logs and gain the LOK-N-LOGS crew experience in many different log styles.

1976

With two historic fort projects completed the production of log homes seemed a natural move. LOK-N-LOGS, Inc. was formed and joined the fledgling log home industry. The first LOK-N-LOGS homes were linear packages with spline and spike joinery and fastening system.

1978

Precut log walls were introduced to the LOK-N-LOGS home packages. Third fort project shipped to Fort Atkinson, Nebraska.

1979

LOK-N-LOGS became one of the pioneers in computer aided design for log homes.

1980s

The 1980s dramatically altered the LOK-N-LOGS company and design systems. Tongue and groove wall log joinery was introduced. Lag bolts replace spikes; several improvements in caulks, foam seals and stain products are introduced and implemented. In Sherburne, New York, the LOK-N-LOGS model center is begun. By 1987 there are three house models and two garages.

1990s

The early 1990s brought many changes to LOK-N-LOGS log homes.  In 1992 LOK-N-LOGS introduced sodium borate pressure treating into the log home components. Borate pressure treating has allowed LOK-N-LOGS to introduce the industry’s only Lifetime Transferable Warranty.  In 1994 LOK-N-LOGS purchased the trademark and much of the mill machinery of New England Log Homes and many of their talented dealers joined the LOK-N-LOGS team.  An air-dried log wall previously, in the 1990s LOK-N-LOGS began working with dry kilns. By the late 1990s we begin to see the Precut, Borate Pressure Treated and Kiln Dried log walls of today.

1994: I-Wood-Care, log home maintenance products and log building supplies store was opened.  Lok-N-Logs became the first log home company to actively supply maintenance products and offers advice on refinishing to all log home customers and contractors.

2000’s

LOK-N-LOGS continued to fine tune the log building system.  A new labeling system made log wall sorting and assembly easier, steel window and door keyways were introduced limiting the number of exposed wall stiffeners needed.  LogHog® self-drilling screws became standard and lags are phased out.  Our signature peeled log was partially automated, although we still do the final finishing by hand. In 2006 a new model center was completed and sales and administration moves to new location.  I-Wood-Care  moved into new model center and a warehouse is built in 2007. 

I-Wood-Care, log home maintenance products and log building supplies store continued to expand and stocks products for Sashco, Continental (Weatherseal), Sikkens and many others.

2010+

LOK-N-LOGS continues to expand the range of building materials offered.  Standard package offerings include Cost Saver, Weathertite and the Complete Packages become popular.  Staged deliveries become part of the normal delivery schedule, putting the materials at the job site when needed.  Drawings begin to reflect newest trends in using products like spray foam in frame areas to eliminate air infiltration.

I-Wood-Care, log home maintenance products and log building supplies store continues to expand and adds Perma-Chink products, Abatron Wood Fillers and more. New website www.iwoodc.com streamlines online ordering.