History of The Lusco Brick & Stone Company

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The Lumberman's Supply Company was founded in Wichita in 1907 "... for the purpose of handling coal and building materials." Prominent lumberman A.C. Houston and J.W. Metz were the financial backers of Hunter B. Gilkeson (HBG II) who ran the new enterprise. In time Gilkeson and his partners were able to buy out their backers. 
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The company exanded quickly, opening offices in Kansas City and Oklahoma City as well as other locations in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. Gilkeson and his partners also acquired the V.V.V. Brick company in Neodesha, KS and cast stone plants in Wichita and Kansas City.
By 1927 brick, stone and other masonry products had become the focus of the company and so in that year the company was reincorporated as The Lusco Brick & Stone Company.

The boom years of the 1920s were followed by the Great Depresson of the 1930's and Lusco's fortunes followed the highs and lows of the times. By World War II Luco had downsized but maintained their core of operations in Wichita, Kansas City, and Oklahoma City and so, after the war Lusco was well situated to take advantage of the post-war building boom.
In 1953 Hunter B. Gilkeson III (son of HBG II) along with T.R. Steele of Oklahoma City assumed leadership of the company following the death of HBG II. HBG III had worked for the company prior to WW II but left to serve as a US Naval officer during the conflict. Steele was a contemporary of HBG II and an ownership partner with HBG II from the early years of the company. In the 1960's, HBG III and Steele acquired the Excelsior Brick Company in Fredonia, KS, which they operated until its sale in 1977.
In the 1970's, Lusco saw many consolidations. Mr. Steele passed away in 1976 and soon the company ownership was brought entirely into Gilkeson hands. In additions to the sale of Excelsior Brick, Lusco operations in Kansas City and Oklahoma City were suspended and the properties were sold. In 1977 Bruce Gilkeson (son of HBG III and grandson of HBG II) assumed operational responsibilities.

With the third generation involved, unburdened from running remote manufacturing and distribution operations, the focus of the company turned to providing Wichita and Kansas construction markets with superior service and the finest brick, stone, and masonry products available. 
In 1988, Bruce Gilkeson (son of HBG III) became president of the company and John Alefs joined Lusco as Vice President and entered ownership in the company. HBG III passed away in 1998 and the following year Lusco acquired an ownershp interest in General Finance, Inc. a Kansas Corporation with two brick plants in the state. Bruce Gilkeson served on the GFI board for 22 years.

Today Lusco Brick & Stone continues to strengthen its reputation as a leader in service and expertise to the Kansas architectural and residential construction communities and we are proud that a 4th generation of the Gilkeson family is involved in Lusco operations. Michael Alex Gilkeson joined the Lusco team as a part of the sales and marketing staff.
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