Ovaltine Factory - Villa Park, IL
Posted by: 
adgorn
N 41° 53.200 W 087° 58.143
16T E 419602 N 4637647
The Wander Company of Bern, Switzerland opened its only American plant, Ovaltine, in 1917.
Waymark Code: WM76AB
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 09/08/2009
Views: 4
From (
visit link) and others:
In 1917 Gottlieb Steiner was sent from Bern, Switzerland to set up the American factory for the Wander Company, the maker of Ovaltine. Villa Park had been chosen for the site because of the good water, the availability of farm products used in the manufacturing process, and the excellent transportation. Steiner's temporary assignment lengthened into thirty-seven years.
Since it opened in 1917, Ovaltine has been head quartered at Number 1 Ovaltine Court. During both World Wars its product was used in Allied hospitals to aid in the recuperation of soldiers suffering from combat fatigue. Ovaltine has been an official supplier to the Summer and Winter Olympics since 1932. In the 1930s the company sponsored Little Orphan Annie programs on radio; Captain Midnight on radio in the 1940s, and on TV in the 1950s. Ovaltine grew to be Villa Park's largest industry and its greatest benefactor, especially during the Depression. During the depression, Ovaltine (Wander Company) helped the banks remain open, established a relief fund, and took Ovaltine to all the local school children.
Located along the Illinois Prairie Path, a 62 mile "Rails to Trails" conversion for biking and walking. Now a residential development called Lincoln @ Ovaltine Court.
See nearby waymark GC1AQY8 for a good photo of the building as it used to be.