Ganahl Lumber Company is the oldest lumberyard in all of California. Others have come and gone, but we are still here prospering! It all began in 1884 when an Austrian immigrant named Christian Ganahl came west from St. Louis. At the time, Los Angeles had a population of 22,000 and Christian Ganahl seized the opportunity to purchase a lumber company. Building was flourishing in L.A. and many people moved west because the transcontinental railroad was offering trips to California for $1.00. this was also the beginning of a new industry - oranges from Southern California won first prize at the International Exposition in New Orleans and defeated the Florida oranges.