Circle Hardware Supply
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Situated just off of Waco's historic traffic circle, Circle Hardware Supply stands as one of the city's longest-running businesses. Originally founded by Frank Stevens in 1945 as a small lumber operation called Circle Lumber Company, the business has operated at 2504 La Salle Avenue since its creation. In 1948, William P. Jones purchased the business to serve as lumber supplier for his commercial building company, Jones and Williams Construction Company, which he owned and operated with his brother-in-law, Grady Williams. In obtaining control of their supply chain, Jones and Williams were able to significantly cut costs and expand their company to become one of the most successful and respected commercial construction businesses in the greater Waco area. Because of their success, Jones and Williams Construction became a major sponsor for Waco community growth. The company built several prominent buildings throughout Waco in the 1950s, including Emmanuel Baptist Church, University Junior High School (closed in 2013), and the Sachs Austin Avenue fashion store downtown (now Sironia boutique). After the May 1953 tornado decimated downtown Waco, many prominent families and businesses chose to relocate rather than to rebuild. The partners of Jones & Williams Construction and Circle Lumber, however, chose to stay in Waco and help the struggling community rebuild. While post-tornado construction jobs proved lucrative for both businesses, the partners were also able to form lasting and meaningful relationships with the citizens of Waco. The multitude of buildings constructed by the company served as great publicity for the hardware store and allowed Jones to build a solid customer base. Tragedy struck the business, however, when Grady Williams was killed in a construction accident in 1972. Following his partner's unexpected death, Jones decided to close the construction operation to focus solely on Circle Lumber Company. Jones’s son-in-law, Richard Cunningham, came to work for the business that same year, ushering in a new era for Circle Lumber. Cunningham led the push to build the new, 6,000 square-foot building that houses the store today. While he strove to innovate, the newcomer also worked to preserve his father-in-law’s emphasis on customer relationships and community involvement. Indeed, even after Jones retired in 1985, he played an active role in consulting the business and afterward continued to stop by the store regularly to reconnect with customers. After Richard’s death in 2005, his wife Mary continued to run Circle Hardware until July 2011, when she sold the assets of the business to Heart of Texas Hardware and Lumber LLC. The owners, Larry and Norma Dagley, promptly joined Do it Best Corporation, a hardware supply co-op, in order to offer a greater variety of goods and services. Membership in the co-op made possible a large-scale remodeling and re-merchandising process in 2012-2013, and introduced the company to a new twenty-first century model of business. Since taking control of the company in 2011, the Dagleys have “embarked on a plan to build on the legacy of the past owners and businesses but to have an updated hardware and convenience lumber operation in a remodeled facility with a wider variety of merchandise.” The store continued to serve the Waco community for years until its closing in 2026. Circle Hardware has been a staple for the Waco community since its founding; its strong familial roots and commitment to customer service ensure that they will be fondly remembered by Waco locals for years to come.
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Serving Waco:
During the 1950s, the staff of the Circle Lumber Company—including yard manager Tommy White (left) and sales manager Trent Moore (right)—worked to specialize in home improvement work, offering customers complete service plans and assistance with a variety of payment plans. | Source: Waco Tribune-Herald, 30 June 1958, page 12. Accessed on newspapers.com.
Marketing Strategies:
The first print ad for Circle Lumber Company was published on April 6, 1947 in the Waco Tribune-Herald. Original owner Frank Stevens used both newspaper ads and radio spots to promote his company to McLennan County residents. | Source: Waco Tribune-Herald, 6 April 1947, page 12. Accessed on newspapers.com.
Homebuilding Hub:
The lumber company built connections with other area groups such as the Society of Professional Engineers, whose Central Texas chapter was founded in 1953. The company, however, not only catered to other businesses and professional groups, but to private individuals as well. Many of their ads targeted would-be homeowners looking to build houses in the area. | Source: Waco Tribune-Herald, Waco, Texas, February 22, 1953, page 52. Accessed on newspapers.com.
Bird's Eye View:
This circa-1960 photo captures the original storefront and lumber barn, which can be seen in the center of the image. The store kept a large quantity of lumber on hand, with the area directly behind the store serving as a lumber yard. | Source: Image courtesy of Circle Hardware
Circle Namesake:
Circle Lumber Company found its namesake in the nearby Waco Traffic Circle. In this circa-1950 aerial photograph of Waco, the traffic circle where Circle Hardware is located can be seen in the top left quadrant. Other visible landmarks include the Floyd Casey Stadium and the Circle Drive-In Theatre. | Source: Jimmie Willis Photographic Collection, "Baylor Stadium - Aerial of Structure and Sourroundings: 1950", Texas Collection Photographic Archive (Digital Collection), Baylor University. | Date: 1950
New Storefront
Circle Hardware’s proximity to Interstate 35 has been vital to the longevity of the business. While the business’s midcentury storefront is a thing of the past, Circle Hardware’s owners take pride in the historical and sentimental significance of the building’s location. | Source: Image courtesy of Circle Hardware.
Strong Ties:
Mary Cunningham continued to visit the store even after her 2015 retirement, carrying on decades-old relationships with customers of all ages. In this way, Cunningham continued the tradition of customer connection established at the company’s inception. | Source: Image courtesy of Circle Hardware.
The Early Years:
Current Circle Hardware owner Larry Dagley talks about the early days of Jones and Williams Construction, their projects in the community, and the impulse behind the start of the construction company. | Source: Dagley, Larry, interviewed by Maggie Dean, April 11, 2018 in Waco, Texas. Baylor University Institute for Oral History.Looking Back:
Current owner Larry Dagley talks about his Waco roots and talks about the professional path that led him to become owner of Circle Hardware. | Source: Dagley, Larry, interviewed by Maggie Dean, April 11, 2018 in Waco, Texas. Baylor University Institute for Oral History.