Air-Lock Log Homes

1920's
We have it on good authority that Royal Wright promoted a hollow log product that Art Clough actually invented! Two factories were built, one near Ontario, Canada and the other in Grayling, Michigan.

1930's
Both Canadian and U.S. patents were issued for the hollow log design and the construction process using the hollow log called Air-Lock Logs.

1940's
Tom Oster was working for the State of Montana's Economic Development. He remembered the Air-Lock Logs from his native Michigan and asked his old college roommate, Stephen Babcock, to join him in Montana to start a log home company. They formed National Log Construction Company in Thompson Falls, MT circa 1946. After several years, Tom Oster sold his interest to Babcock to pursue his interest in Geology.

1955
With the permission of his former partner, Tom Oster and his family formed a Corporation in Prescott, Arizona. The new corporation was named Air-Lock Log Company.

1971
The Company moved the mill and office to Las Vegas, New Mexico. The area offered good access to the Southern Rocky Mountain and Southwestern states and, of course, the wind. It was perfect for drying the logs.

1981
The banner years for Air-Lock were 1979-1981. Over 50 homes per year were being produced! Tragically, Tom's son, Fred Oster, died in late 1981. Tom's daughter, Susan Oster, began assuming greater responsibilities for managing the company. Computers were also introduced in 1984.

1988
Susan Oster was made President in 1988. The Osters, even though retired in Lake Montezuma, Arizona, continued to offer counsel and support to her. New brochures were developed.

1990's
Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) was introduced in 1994. And by 1996, Susan was concentrating more on marketing efforts, including Seminars and Log Construction Schools.

2001
Our production line was updated by adding a new "log profiling" machine. Now, instead of "minutes per log" we were able to produce 4 logs per minute!

The after math of the events of 9-11-01 and the subsequent down fall in the stock market dramatically affected our sales program. Susan Oster and husband, Bill Conrad closed the production facility in Las Vegas, New Mexico. But, as many of us have experienced, when one door closes, another one opens. Our "Sister" company in Thompson Falls, Montana (operating as Cabinet Mountain Log Works, L.L.C.) was eager to assist. Owner, Bill Hagedorn, and his team, were able to produce our existing orders and invited us to join their sales team as Exclusive Dealers for the Southwest! Montana's facility is now Air-Lock Log Homes, L.L.C., a Montana Corporation. And our Dealership is Air-Lock Log Homes Southwest. We have come full circle and Tom Oster, would be pleased, indeed!

Today, all of us are working together for our former clients, our current customers and you! So, if you plan to build in the Southwest, you have come to the right portal! If you will build any where else, contact the folks at Air-Lock Log Homes in Montana: www.air-locklog.com or e-mail them at airlock@blackfoot.net.