Our Past

1986: Rohlk Lumber closure announced in Donahue

Compiled by Erin M. Gentz
Posted 6/9/26

June 11, 1986: After 76 years of business in Donahue, Harland Rohlk announced the Rohlk Lumber Center would close, effective Aug. 1. “It hurts. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do, and I didn’t want to do it now,” said Rohlk. He said the poor farm economy was a major factor in his decision to close. His father, Grover Rohlk, and William Goettsch opened the Rohlk & Goettsch Lumber, Grain, Coal and Livestock Company in Donahue in 1910. The pair built a small grain elevator in 1915 and also sold IH equipment and Model-Ts for a time. Harland entered the business in 1936.

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