HUMBIRD LANDMARK BEING RAZED

 Photo and transcription by Cindy Dressler

The Humbird Canning Factory,

built in 1870 as a grade school is falling victim to the workmen's crowbar.

One of Humbird's oldest landmarks is being razed. In recent years the building has been known as the Canning Factory and has been vacant since about 1957.

The two-story structure was erected in 1870 as a grade school at a cost of $2500. It was then located near the site of the present grade school building.

In 1916, when a larger school building was required the old school building was moved to a lot near the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad tracks and was converted into a canning factory.

On Nov. 9, 1916, J.C. Coxe and associated of the Whitewater Canning Company organized the Humbird Canning Company with a capital stock of $40,000 which was increased to $80,000 in 1920.

The first officers were J.C. Coxe, president and F.W. Traxler, vice president. a short time later Traxler became president; W. Shock, vice president; J.C. Coxe, Secretary and C.H. Steele, director.

The plant was built for a two-line pea factory, but in addition rhubarb and blueberries were added about 1920. Strawberries were added about 1930 and green and wax beans in 1934. Strawberries were soon dropped, but blueberries continued until 1940.

A large farm was owned and operated by the Company for many years and in 1917 and 1918, approximately 400 acres of peas were raised here.

In recent years the factory has been managed by Raymond Stuve.                        

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