Schilling Company History

Historic Timeline  |  Meet Our Team

L.B. Schilling was leading developer for the area.

Original Schilling office in St. John, Indiana.

Frank Schilling Sr. and Frank Schilling Jr. outside original Schilling store.

Schilling History

For nearly 65 years, The Schilling Brothers Lumber and Supply Company has provided Northwest Indiana with the means to build great residential homes and projects with solid advice, products and a neighborly attitude. Our grandfather planted the foundation for a century of family successes and commitment, not only Dyer, Indiana, but also to many of its surrounding towns and communities.

Our mission: To Give Our Customers What They Want On Time and Error Free has surpassed the test of time and even grown stronger. With added services, new refreshed showrooms, a fleet of trucks, long list of quality services, and a renewed brand identity this third generation of Schilling Brothers is on track to keep the family legacy and dedication to growth in Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland residential construction growing strong. We are still history in the making. Thank you to all the customers that have made our story possible.

Timeline of Events

• 1899 – Louis B. Schilling (known as L.B. Schilling) a leading
              developer and homebuilder in south Chicago suburbs.
• 1918 – L.B. Schilling develops some of the first subdivisions in
              Dyer and Schererville along with Chicago Heights.
• 1931 – Frank J. and Louis W. Schilling (LB’s twin sons) moved into
              NW Indiana from Chicago Heights.
• 1932 – Frank J. and Louis W. Schilling opened a gas station on what
              was then a 2 lane gravel Route 41 (located where Unicorp
              Credit Union is now located). The traffic from the 1932
              World Fair in Chicago saved it from going under the first year.
• World War II – Frank J. and Louis W. worked in the shipyards until
              the end of the war.
• 1945 – Opened Schilling Bros. Lumber and Supply shortly after
              World War II in it’s current location.
• Winter of 1945 – Original office was built in St. John.
• 1964 – Current main building was built as a single story structure.
• 1965 – Frank E. and Jim Schilling (Second Generation of
              Schilling Brothers) begin working full time.
• 1974 - Schilling Expands into Kitchens with their first brand
              of Cabinets, Imperial.
• 2000 – Schilling remodels the front of the store from the old
              Do-it Best Orange hardware look.
• 2005 – Flooring Department expanded to include the
              Mohawk Floorscapes showroom, the only in NW Indiana,
              Mohawk’s biggest and best showroom.
• December 2008 – major remodeling of St. John showroom begins.
              Removal of interior load bearing walls with beams gives an
              open concept to our new cutting edge showroom.
• May 2009 – Unveiling of our new Logo and tagline
              ‘envision. design. build.'
• August 2009 – Kitchen Showroom remodel begins.

Download & view other historic content:
2008 NWI Times Press Release, 1919 Advertisement, 1918 Advertisement, and other Vintage Images.