Nice, what an advantage to be able to go to the mill and help with the cutting/selection.  
I don't know if that was common then or not,  but it is the first step to a quality build.

When I go to the lumberyard,  I have to go through most of the unit to find acceptable pieces.
Dealing with what's available at the time can make a big difference on the outcome of the project.

Figuring out how to do something you have never done is what makes a good challenge.