 |
 |
|
|
John Deere was a pioneer blacksmith who developed the first commercially successful, self-cleaning steel plow in 1837. Later that year, John Deere founded the company that today still bears his name. Born in 1804 in Rutland, Vermont. John won acclaim as a blacksmith for his workmanship and ingenuity, but left the state in 1836 due to poor economic conditions. He followed other Vermonters to the western Illinois settlement of Grand Detour, where he established a blacksmith shop. Shortly after arriving, he learned that the commonly used cast-iron plows of the day performed poorly in the sticky soil of the Midwest. Soil clung to the plow bottoms and had to be removed, by hand, every few steps. Thus farming was slow and laborious. Convinced that a plow with a highly polished surface should clean (or scour) itself as it moved through the field, John Deere fashioned just such an implement, using steel from a broken saw blade. Legend has it that hundreds of people gathered at the farm of Lewis Crandall, near Grand Detour, for the successful debut. A published account noted the plow would "cleave without carrying the rich alluvial earth". It wasn't long before manufacturing plows became the main focus of John Deere's business.
Your Tour Includes:
Round trip deluxe motor coach transportation
Two night motel accommodations
Tour of Engine & Tractor Factory, Waterloo
Tour of Harvester, Moline
Tour of Pavilion, Toy Store & Collectable Center
Tour of Headquarters Co.
Five meals included
Fully escorted
General Information:
Tour price $329.00 per person based on two persons sharing a double room. Single supplement $80.00.
Payment:
Cancellation:
A full refund will be made up to 30 days prior to departure. Between 29-15 days 1/2 of the tour price will be refunded, within 15 days before departure date, no refund will be given.
Responsibility:
Wendinger Travel acts only in the capacity of an agent for the passengers in all matters pertaining to motel accommodations, sightseeing tours and transportation by motor coach and as such is not responsible for any damage, expense, or other conditions, nor for loss, injury or damage to or of any person or property from any cause whatsoever. The right is reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of this tour at any time. Any added expenses caused by weather or scheduling delays are incurred by the passenger.
Go to Itinerary
Get the Application Form
Go back to the Main Tour Page