The way we were: Process and progress at city plant – Jacksonville Journal Courier

An estimated 10,000 people, including Illinois Gov. William G. Stratton and Texas Attorney General John Ben Shepperd, attended the formal dedication of the Mrs. Tuckers Foods plant in Jacksonville in 1953.

The plant later became ACH Food Cos.

The 1953 celebration not only officially opened the new vegetable oil processing plant, but observed Mrs. Tuckers Foods Inc.s 40th anniversary. The Texas-based company was a pioneer in the manufacture of vegetable oil food products. In early 1952, Mrs. Tuckers Foods merged with Anderson, Clayton & Co., a worldwide cotton merchandiser.

Jacksonville civic leaders, politicians and plant officials went all out in dedicating the multimillion-dollar plant, which was one of the largest of its kind in the world in 1953.

The grand opening did not coincide with the actual startup of the plant, though, which occurred in February 1953 when the production of shortening began. And by the time of the plants dedication, 140 people were already working there, according to 1953 newspaper reports.

The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce helped arrange the dedication festivities and provide the hospitality for its out-of-town guests. Signs saying Welcome Texans and showing a waving cowboy were attached to utility poles around the public square.

Local car dealerships brought in convertibles in which to carry dignitaries around Jacksonville. The honored guests were shown city landmarks during a motorcade around town on the morning of the grand opening.

That afternoon, several local, state and company officials gave speeches from a stage in front of the new plant.

Lamar Fleming Jr., president of Anderson, Clayton & Co., spoke of the founding of Mrs. Tuckers Foods in north Texas in 1913 and praised the people of Jacksonville. Mrs. Tuckers will give honest and efficient service to the public, Fleming said. There is no greater inspiration than the help and kindness your community has given us.

Stratton followed the Texas industrialist in welcoming the new industry and visitors.

It is heartening to see what can be accomplished by cooperation, Stratton said. Illinois has the finest skilled labor, the finest cooperation between management and labor. This plant stands as a tribute to industrial enterprise and civic cooperation.

Other speakers included Shepperd; Francis R. Rantz, president of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce; Jacksonville Mayor Ernest L. Hoagland; and a recorded greeting from Texas Gov. Allan Shivers, who was unable to attend.

Following the 40-minute formal dedication ceremony, the plant was opened for tours. Thousands of people walked through the plant to see the machines used to produce Mrs. Tuckers Meadolake Margarine, Shortening and Salad Oil.

Four thousand orchids, which were flown in from Hawaii, were distributed to women touring the plant. Adults also received packets containing a commemorative brass coin and certificates for shortening, while children got a packet of two balloons and two suckers.

The celebration culminated with a street dance on the east side of the Jacksonville public square. Jan Garbers Orchestra, a popular swing band of that era, furnished the music. Large crowds gathered on the square to dance and listen to the famous orchestra.

Mrs. Tuckers and Anderson, Clayton & Co. officials said they had never witnessed such a demonstration of cordiality at the opening of an industrial center as Jacksonville staged, wrote Jacksonville Courier editor Birch B. Ridgway.

This Way We Were story was first published Aug. 18, 2003.

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The way we were: Process and progress at city plant - Jacksonville Journal Courier