Columbia Western Lumber Yards was established as a “holding company” by the Canadian Western Lumber Company, Limited. It was incorporated under the Dominion Charter and received its letters patent on April 17, 1913. Company shares were held by the Columbia River Lumber Company, Limited, the Canadian Western Lumber Company, Limited, and the Fraser Mills Sash, Door, and Shingle Company Limited. From the CRL and the CWL companies, it acquired stock in Crown Lumber Company, Limited; Coast Lumber Yards, Limited; Coast Lumber & Fuel Company, Limited; Western Canadian Sawmill Yards Limited; Lumber Manufacturers’ Yard Limited; Security Lumber Company, Limited; and the Fraser Mills Sash, Door, and Shingle Company; as well as one million dollars in first mortgage six-percent debenture bonds of the Comox Logging & Railway Company.