Friends,
We have had a great response to Tuesdays at the Dock. We will continue hosting community members and past employees each Tuesday through the end of September. Open hours are from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.
Employees have come and given us insights into many of the tools and items we have collected. We have also taken them into the plant on several occasions and walked with them to their old work locations. It has been a wonderful learning experience and the stories are continuing to come in. This week we highlight the Wheat Rush.
The Wheat Rush at the Springfield Pillsbury plant was a big deal. Beginning in early July and lasting for several weeks, grain trucks would come from miles around to deliver wheat to the plant. The plant held more than 3 million bushels when filled to full capacity. Each of the 160 silos held 18,000 bushels. The 108 spaces between the silos held another 1500 bushels each.
Grain trucks would line up along 15th Street for several blocks. Sometimes, the line of trucks would stretch as far south as Clearlake Ave. Each truck would get tested, weighed, and dumped on the north side of the plant. A typical day during the Wheat Rush would see 700-1000 grain trucks unloaded.
The Pillsbury Neighborhood looked forward to the Wheat Rush. Children in the area would set up lemonade stands. Sandwiches and snacks were commonly sold to the farmers and truck drivers along with lemonade. The Wheat Rush was an annual summertime activity that everyone looked forward to being a part of.
The Reunion Project Team
pillsburyproject.org
PS – we will have Tuesday at the Dock tomorrow. It is shaded and plenty of water will be available.