During four generations of family management, the company has undergone many changes, yet it has never lost its focus ... providing the highest quality project administration, and craftsmanship plus adherence to schedule, all delivered in the most cost-effective manner possible.

From 1897 to 1913, Theodore I. Bogner was actively engaged as a carpenter-contractor in the building of residences and commercial buildings in a firm known simply as Bogner Construction Company.  His friends and associates knew him to be happiest while actively leading a crew of men in a difficult or unusual construction job.

This business, which specialized in carpentry and framing, grew and in 1913, Theodore formed a partnership with William L. Long, a specialist in masonry and concrete work.  The new firm, known as Bogner and Long thrived in the Wooster community from 1913-1929.  In 1929, Long retired from the business to run for mayor of the city.  Theodore then established a firm known as Theodore Bogner, Contractor and Builder,  which constructed many residences and commercial buildings over the next sixteen years.

When Theodore's sons, Richard and Robert, returned from their tours of duty in World War II, they joined their father, forming a new firm, Theodore Bogner and Sons, Inc. which thrived from 1945-1979.

In 1979, Theodore "Ted" and Robert "Bob" Bogner, the third and current managing generation, took the reins from their father and uncle and changed the name, back to its original 1897 name ... Bogner Construction Company.

One of the exciting challenges for the third and fourth generations, has been to reconstruct the history of the company through Theodore's early leather bound "Fortnightly" Time Books.

Left to right: Tim Bogner, Ted Bogner, Bob Bogner, Brian Bogner

Remember, there was no need for an employer to keep income records in those days ... no income taxes, no withholdings, men were paid every two weeks in cash and 100% of what they made ... they kept.

Above the 1901 time book is one dated July 7, 1911 for the construction of the "University Gymnasium," at the then "University (now College) of Wooster."  Notice in the intervening 10 years, Theodore still has his fine Italian craftsmen; however, he now knew all their names.

The "University Gymnasium" became Severance Gymnasium and following a $5,300,000 addition and renovation by Bogner Construction Company in 1996, it now houses the college's Art Department and was renamed the Ebert Art Center.

This time book, from 1907, records time spent in the construction of the four-story "Gerstenslager Buggy Works" at the corner of Spink and Liberty Streets in Wooster, Ohio.

In 1997, Bogner Construction Company was selected to renovate this building, converting it into a modern upscale alcohol and substance abuse treatment center known as STEPS.

These types of projects provide an opportunity for the Bogner family to combine modern construction processes with the high level of quality achieved by their past generations to prolong the useful life of classic buildings, like Gerstenslager, STEPS and the "University Gymnasium" / Ebert Art Center.  These projects provide a special thrill for the company's third and fourth generations as they renovate buildings originally constructed by Theodore, almost 100 years ago.

Bogner Construction Company has been building for the "W. J. Foss Brush Works" (now The Wooster Brush Company) for over 93 years.  We cherish this type of long-term client relationship and currently have underway, the rehabilitation of a 250,000 sq. ft. facility.

In 1911, the Wooster Board of Trade (now the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce) wanted to bring part of the manufacturing operations of the Canton Hughes Pump Company to Wooster.  The Board of Trade selected Bogner Construction Company to handle the construction work and be part of their successful project team.  There has always been and there will always be fierce competition between communities to offer plant sites and economic value to potential employers.  We are very proud of our nine decades of working with the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce.

As can be seen from this 1927 time book, our firm had three rather large projects underway simultaneously.  The "Animal Husbandry Building" (now Pounden Hall) at the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station (now OARDC), Hygeia Hall, and the President's Home at the College of Wooster.

Since we originally constructed it in 1927, we have remodeled the President's Home at the College of Wooster on four separate occasions for the special family needs of each of four new college presidents.  Hygeia Hall was demolished in 2001 to make way for another Bogner project ... the 49,000 sq. ft., $8,300,000 Burton D. Morgan Hall.

The Bogner family has maintained a major presence in the construction industry throughout Ohio and neighboring states since 1897.  We intend on continuing our method of doing business (many times by no more than a handshake) well into the future.  The company's immaculate safety record, many safety awards, quality employees, business philosophy, and, most importantly, a reputation obtained by sustaining the highest level of integrity since 1897 has earned Bogner Construction Company a distinguished role in the past, present, and future of Ohio's construction industry.