In 1978 Jess Fitzhugh, David Baldwin and Steve Salisbury purchased Tidewater Contractors. In the beginning their primary dream was building log homes and operating a logging company called Mountain Pride. Mountain Pride, and Tidewater Contractors did both. We actually did a lot more too.
We spent the next 20 years building roads, doing everything from logging the timber to blasting hills, right down to painting the stripes on the roads. When the climate towards logging changed and the woods were basically closed, we changed our primary objective to road building. Jess & Dave bought out their partner Steve, and moved forward with their plans. So far they have been very successful. Last year Tidewater celebrated its 30th anniversary in business! Not an easy thing to do these days with the economy so fragile and the community so small.
Jess and Dave have expanded over the years, and raised families. Some of whom are deeply involved with the company. Jess has two Sons, Scott and George and a daughter. Both Sons have been working and learning since high school and are now expert estimator and job superintendents. They are well respected and have brought their own ideas and skills into the business that has increased tidewaters’ excellence in contracting. Jess’s daughter has been involved as well, working on large commercial highway jobs until she relocated and changed careers. Dave Baldwin, our Secretary and vice President has a son and a daughter. His daughter has chosen another career path, but his son has also been raised working thefamily business and is ensconced in the material harvesting and production departments.
Over the years, tidewater has expanded from the Brookings area and has purchased properties in the eastern Oregon area of John Day, and in Northern California, Smith River, Crescent City areas. All of these locations offer Concrete (ready-mix) Sand & Gravel and seasonally; Asphalt paving. We are also able to move heavy equipment, rent equipment (with operator) and survey & testing work.