*Del Monte bought out the J.B. Inderrieden Canning Company which was located just west of the former Motor Wheel (now Mega Trax) in 1948. A new modern plant was then constructed.

*Construction of Del Monte plant #112 east of Mendota on Route 34 began in 1948.

*Opening day and ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new De Monte plant was held on Aug. 10, 1949.

*Del Monte in Mendota, Rochelle, and DeKalb recruited over 200 seasonal workers from colleges such as Berea College in Kentucky. These young men stayed in bunkhouses on the plant property and they were very popular with the girls around town.

For more interesting facts about corn and Mendota’s long history with this a-maizing crop, visit the Hume-Carnegie Museum. The museum is currently featuring a “Mendota - Where Corn is King” exhibit. The museum is open Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4 p.m.