About W.A. Roosevelt Company

The History of W.A. Roosevelt Company

City of La Crosse The W.A. Roosevelt Company had its modest beginning in the basement of a building back in 1868. At that time, Captain W.A. Roosevelt began the business as a small steamfitters shop, with boats and mills as his first customers. We were known as a wholesaler of wrought iron pipe and fittings, brass goods and engine trimmings, pumps and mills supplies. Twenty years after the doors were opened, W.A. Roosevelt incorporated his company with a capital of $50,000 and served as president and treasurer of the company until his death in 1894.

Captain W.A. Roosevelt In the early days, the Roosevelt Company catered to "plumbers, engine builders and millers, throughout Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and the Dakotas." At this time we employed from 10-15 men and had one agent who served as the company's lone traveling salesman. By 1900 this number had increased to at least four, covering western Wisconsin, Minnesota and northern Iowa.

T.H. Brindley is credited with the modernization of the W.A. Roosevelt Company. Under his direction, an electrical department was started in 1916. A radio department was added in 1922, selling tubes and other parts. The refrigeration department, serving both home and commercial needs, was later formed in 1938.

By 1968 we employed 45 people, divided evenly between the two major departments: plumbing and heating and electrical (includes refrigeration). The plumbing and heating office employed four territory salesmen, as did the electrical department, while the refrigeration department counted one territory salesman.

Early Storefront We have always prided ourselves as "pioneers." W.A. Roosevelt Company has been progressive in many aspects of the industry. In 1971 we adopted the use of the not-so-common computer, to aid us in our daily business practices.

Today we continue to grow strong. To fulfill your business needs, we have continued to expand. We have locations in Plover, Rice Lake and New Berlin, along with our 70,000-sq. ft. warehouse in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Our newest location in Madison serving the HVAC market opened August 2008. In addition, we have a "Lights and Baths" showroom in La Crosse, and our showroom in New Berlin, to assist the residential market with their building and remodeling needs. We continue to serve the plumbing, electrical and HVAC/R needs of Wisconsin, eastern Minnesota and northern Iowa. With 16 outside salesmen and 90+ support personnel, we are qualified to meet your one-stop shopping needs.