Barnett's celebrates 120th anniversary

A business that traces its roots back to the founding of McCook is celebrating its 120th birthday this week.

Founded by Albert Barnett, known as "the builder," the Chicago Lumber Yard was founded in 1882, the same year as the city of McCook.

Born Nov. 25, 1855, Barnett met B.M. Frees in Chicago, and started the local lumber yard.

Shortly after the village was platted in 1882, Barnett helped unload the first carload of lumber, shipped into the fledgling town.

Barnett lived up to his moniker, helping accelerate progress in the young city, building or contributing to many important early projects such as the YMCA and Memorial United Methodist Church, over the next 45 years.

He died in 1938 and left his son, Frank Barnett, in control of the re-named Barnett Lumber Co.

Later, after Frank Barnett moved to Washington D.C., and Cy Young managed the store until Wayne Korf took over some of the managerial details for Frank.

After Frank's death in 1967, he continued to help Catherine Barnett (Frank's widow), before purchasing the business in 1968.

In 1970, Wayne joined Hardware Wholesale Inc. in an effort to provide great products at great prices. Barnett's was the first store in Nebraska to join HWI. Wayne was also the first Nebraska businessman to be on the board of directors in October 1979.

After Wayne died in November 1979, Korf's son, Sherwood Korf, and son-in-law, Jim Clapp, became managers of Barnett Lumber Co.

In 1985, after being in the same location since 1882, the business purchased property and moved to a location on North U.S. Highway 83, leaving 7,500 square feet of showroom on Norris Avenue, to occupy 17,500 square feet in the new location.

At the same time, the business became Barnett's Do-It Center.

In March 1989, Sherwood passed away at the age of 42 and Jim Clapp became president of the company.

Carrying on 120 years of home-town success, the store is owned and operated by Darlene Korf, Jim and Kristi Korf Clapp, all of McCook.

They are proud to provide quality products and quality service.