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September 2008 Press & CharterOur History
In 1915, Preston Arthur Feather began his building materials business in a 
construction partnership with William Wingate. Early projects of Feather & Wingate include many existing buildings in the greater Petoskey area.
As the business grew, so did the reputation of Feather and Wingate as fine builders and honest businessmen. During one project, Preston Feather found he could save money by buying larger quantities of wood. He then sold some of his excess inventory to other area builders. This marked the beginning of the lumber company. Their first lumber outlet was along the railroad tracks on Sheridan Street in Petoskey. At the onset of World War II, the government took over the building and began harvesting milkweed floss for use in military lifejackets. Preston Feather & Sons, as the business was then known, was forced to move their building supply business to 405 Lake Street, downtown Petoskey.
After the war, the company moved to its present location at 900 Spring Street and business flourished with the growth of Petoskey. In 1979 the Feather family sold the business to current owner, Bill Norcross. At that time the old building was replaced with a new 7,000 square foot hardware showroom. Since 1985, Preston Feather Building Centers has added Design Showrooms specializing in windows, doors and cabinetry, and a distribution center. In 1996 a new 12,000 square foot Building Center was added in Gaylord, and in 2006 construction was completed on a 24,000 square foot facility in Harbor Springs.
