Ovaltine Factory - Villa Park, IL, United States
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Go Boilers!
N 41° 53.215 W 087° 58.098
16T E 419664 N 4637673
Closed in 1985 and left abandoned, the factory was opened as an apartment complex in 2003.
Waymark Code: WMC5Y0
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 07/29/2011
Views: 5
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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 thirtyseven years. Steiner is remembered for his many civic interests. He was one of the founders of Elmhurst Memorial Hospital and a leader in establishing the Villa Park Trust and Savings Bank.
Since it opened, 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.