Canterra Homes and construction go back more than a century.  It all began when Tom’s great great grandfather, Frederick Rietz, immigrated to the U.S. from Germany in 1849.  Frederick and his three brothers started the Chas. Rietz & Brothers Lumber Company, dealing in lumber, lath, shingles, doors and salt.  Frederick and his brother August ran the lumber operation in Chicago.  His brother Edward ran the lumber outlet in Kankakee, Illinois and his brother Charles, who discovered salt in Michigan, ran the lumber operation in Manistee, Michigan.
 
The connection continues with Tom’s Father, Richard Charles Rietz, who built apartment homes in 1963.  Tom’s father-in-law, Michael Nicholas, started US Carpentry in the 1960’s.  

            
  Charles Rietz                            Rietz Family Homestead                                  Rietz Brothers                                        The "Chas Rietz"                                        Michael Nicholas
    Founder of Rietz                       Manistee, Michigan                                          Lumber Mill                                            Lake Vessel hauling                                    Founder of US
    Brothers Lumber                       Circa 1875                                                         and Salt Block                                         lumber across the                                       Carpentry                    
    Mill and Salt Block                                                                                               Great Lakes

The history helped lead to the beginning of Canterra Homes.  Since 1996, Canterra Homes has been building quality homes with solid value.  With a focus on Master Planned Communities, Canterra has created over 22 beautiful neighborhoods for homebuyers to call home.