Industry High School - Eagle Yearbook (Industry, IL)

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Radio Station WKAI, of 250 watts, was established in Macomb on July 4, 1947. Today products made in Macomb and those grown in this area, find their way all over the United States and, in some instances, around the globe, Macomb may well be proud of her strategic importance to her state and to her nationg she is one of the spolges in a mighty wheel. The tale of her growth and her expansion can be many times paralleled across these United States, for such pioneer fortitude. enterprise, and downright hard work is what has raised our nation to its great heights today, Credit is due Miss Ethel Mae Norton for her aid in helping compile historical data,

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Industrial development in Macomb may be characterized as sound and conserva- tive. A good proportion of this development is based upon the exploitation of rich and practically inexhaustible natural resources, which makes for permanency, Since Ma- comb is known as one of the principal clay manufacturing centers of the state, it is to be expected that industries using clay as their basic raw material are in the majority. However, there are enough other important manufacturing organizations that the city's growth may be said to be distinctive because it has attracted such a wide variety of in- dustries, This diversity of industry gives labor a wide choice of employment, It is significant that labor troubles are unknown in Macomb, and the outlook for the future presents an unclouded horizon of smooth, satisfactory relationships between labor and their employers. Some 1.250 persons are employed in Macomb industries at an annual payroll of about 52.'735.000. This figure does not include Western State College's annual pay- roll of 3800. 000. Besides the lucrative clay deposits, McDonough County possesses a rich potential supply of coal, which at one time was actively mined but except for local mines is now neglected, Petroleum deposits too are to be found underlying the area, and at one time a number of oil wells were in production. Sand, gravel and limestone are also to be found in this area, but little has been done to develop any of these commercially, Wealthy as McDonough County is in raw material resources, its greatest asset is undoubtedly its rich soil, The adaptability of the county to the raising of good feed crops--corn often averages 65 bu. to the acre--gives rise to hog-raising, cattle feed- ing and the allied dairying industries. Many spacious farms surrounding Macomb are dotted with prime Aberdeen Angus cattle or Hampshire or Poland China pigs. Thriving poultry farms, stock exchanges, a large auction barn, a strong Farm Bureau and several companies engaged in the manufacture of cheese, ice-cream and other dairy products are further evidence of the Community's extensive agricultural program. A large Fair Grounds on the edge of the city, houses the .annual County Fair with its many livestock and other farm exhibits, The first newspaper in Macomb was the Enterprise, started in 1855 on the second floor of a building on the south side of the square. The Macomb Journal has had the longest continuous publication, from 1865 to the present. Other edits of the community include the Western Courier, published by Western during the college year, and the McDonough County Times.

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amfhweng of ROGER W. HAYES, States Attorney GAIL F. UNDERWOOD, Supt. of Schools HERBERT S. BOBBIT, Circuit Clerk MAURICE MOORE, County Treasurer ROBERT BLACKLEDGE, Supt. of Highways EARL BARCLAY, County Sheriff WALLACE A. WALKER, County Judge HERBERT K. HULSON, County Clerk