The Grand Detour Plow Factory
In 1843, John Deere and Leonard Andrus formed a partnership to "become co-partners together in the art...of blacksmithing, ploughmaking and all things thereto belonging..." In1846, a two-story plow factory was constructed on this site. That year they had ten employees and manufactured 400 plows. The partnership was dissolved in 1848 and John Deere went on to found a new company bearing his name in Moline, Illinois.
Leonard Andrus and partners continued to operate the Grand Detour Plow Factory. It burned down in 1857. It was rebuilt in 90 days. Sixty employees produced 50-60 plows per day until the company moved to nearby Dixon, Illinois, in 1869 to be near the railroad. The abandoned factory burned down in 1890. This wall is the last remnant of this factory and thus part of the early manufacturing heritage of Grand Detour.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.
Location. 41° 53.761′ N,
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Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Erected to the memory of Leonard Andrus founder of the village of Grand Detour Illinois 1835 (a few steps from this marker); Grand Detour, Illinois (within shouting distance of this marker); Upper Ferry Landing (within shouting distance of this marker); John Deere Home and Shop (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); La Sallier's Cabin (approx. 0.9 miles away); Site of the First Cabin Built for Hon. Joseph Crawford
Credits. This page was last revised on March 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 22, 2019. This page has been viewed 1,810 times since then and 101 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 22, 2019. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
