About Maze Lumber

An Irish immigrant from Castleblayney, County Monaghan, Maze arrived in the United States in 1836 and was a masonry contractor for several years before deciding to try his hand at the lumber business.

He located his modest yard in the small town of Peru, Illinois - on the banks of the Illinois River. The yard stood just a few hundred yards from the south end of the new Illinois - Michigan Canal. Dug by men and horse power, it was also 1848 when the canal first linked Peru and the Illinois and Mississippi rivers to Lake Michigan.

Maze had a small barge built - named the Elk - and used mules to haul loads of local grain to Chicago by way of the I-M Canal. Before making the 96 mile journey back to Peru, the Elk was loaded with white pine from huge timber stands in Wisconsin. Upon return it was sold to Samuel Maze's contractor friends, farmers, and others who asked him to bring them lumber. Thus the yard was born.

Today, after 176 years of providing only the best-quality building materials to industrialists, contractors, and homeowners, Maze Lumber continues its long tradition of outstanding customer service to the Illinois Valley.

Still located at its original Water Street location, the modern Maze Lumber yard handles the latest in construction materials - with prompt delivery and expert advice to accompany each sale.

Whether you are building a new home in the Illinois Valley, renovating your kitchen, or adding on a deck to the backyard, Maze Lumber's knowledgeable and experienced sales staff continues to provide quality products and services making every project an enjoyable experience for you.