Aerial View of Original Elco Building, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and while aerial view of Elco Tool and Screw Corporation and the surrounding area.
May 1947
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.308
Aerial View of Original Elco Building and Commercial Wire Products Co., Elco Tool and Screw
Black and while aerial view of Elco Tool and Screw Corporation and the surrounding area.
May 1947
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.307
Aerial View of Elco Building on Samuelson Road, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and while aerial view of Elco Tool and Screw Corporation and the surrounding area.
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.306
Production Area, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of one of Elco's production areas. While there are no employees present, a variety of equipment and supplies can be seen throughout the image.
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.305
Employee Working in Production Area, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of an Elco employee reaching in to one of four large spinning drums. Ten full pails of products (possibly screws) can be seen lined up along the floor in front of said drums, possibly waiting for their turn to be spun. Along the left hand side of the photograph metal bins are stacked holding additional product.
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.304
Two Employees Working in Production Area, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of two Elco employees working in the production area. Even though their backs are facing the camera, several pieces of equipment and supplies like "Chromic Acid" barrels can be seen throughout the image.
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.303
Employee Straining Screws, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of an Elco employee as he pulls a cage filled with product out of a watertub. This was presumably the last stop before the product was sent for its final inspection. This image is an alternate view of another photograph that can be seen on 2018.78.282
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.302
Machine in Production Area, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of an Elco machine that was used in the manufacturing of screws. While no employees are present in the photograph one is able to see screws falling off the line into metal buckets. At least two full buckets can be seen in front of the machine.
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.301
Aerial View of Samuelson Building, Elco Tool and Screw
Color photograph of Elco Tool and Screw looking towards the building from Samuelson Road.
ca. 1940s
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.300
Visitor Entrance to Building, Elco Tool and Screw
Color photograph of the "visitor entrance" for the Elco Tool and Screw building on Samuelson Road. This entrance was used by visitors, executives, or some staff to access the front office.
ca. 1940s
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.299
Employee Entrance to Building, Elco Tool and Screw
Color photograph of the "employee entrance" from the main parking lot at the Elco Tool and Screw building on Samuelson Road. The canopy was later removed and the building was expanded.
ca. 1940s
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.298
Parking Lot View of Elco Building, Elco Tool and Screw
Color photograph of Elco Tool and Screw manufacturing plant. This particular view shows the employee parking lot and cars in a variety of colors, styles, and body types can be seen.
ca. 1940s
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.297
New Ideas and New Innovations, Elco Industries, Inc.
Black and white photograph of Elco employees, William Starnes (middle) and Darwin Miller (right), examining a machine that Starnes suggested a modification for. According to a Rockford Register-Republic article from April 16, 1971, "Stearns,. . . a 14-year veteran with Elco, suggested use of a rotating fixture to hold carbide die inserts while eroding a hole in them by EDM." (Electrical Discharge Machining) The same article explains that Starnes' suggestion reduced Elco's risk of creating an oversized hole and, in turn, cut set-up time by 90%.
March 1971
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.296
Updated Machinery, Elco Industries, Inc.
Black and white photograph of an Elco machine that employee, William Starnes, suggested a modification for. According to a Rockford Register-Republic article from April 16, 1971, "Stearns,. . . a 14-year veteran with Elco, suggested use of a rotating fixture to hold carbide die inserts while eroding a hole in them by EDM." (Electrical Discharge Machining)
March 1971
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.295
William Starnes Receives Award, Elco Industries, Inc.
Black and white photograph of Elco employee, William Starnes (middle), being awarded his "suggestion" check of $504.75. Also included in the photograph is Darwin Miller (right) who was Director of Manufacturing during the 1970s.
March 1971
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.294
William Starnes and Darwin Miller, Elco Industries, Inc.
Black and white photograph of Elco employee, William Starnes (middle), being awarded his "suggestion" check of $504.75. Also included in the photograph is Darwin Miller (right) who was Director of Manufacturing during the 1970s.
March 1971
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.293
The Grand Prize, Elco Industries, Inc.
Black and white photograph of check awarded to Elco employee, William Starnes, for his suggested modification to an EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining). According to a Rockford Register-Republic article from April 16, 1971, "Stearns,. . . a 14-year veteran with Elco, suggested use of a rotating fixture to hold carbide die inserts while eroding a hole in them by EDM." The same article states that this is "one of the largest suggestion pay-offs" in Elco's history.
March 1971
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.292
Children with their Prizes from the Annual Company Picnic, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of Elco employees at their annual company picnic. Two young children pose for the photographer with their souvenir toys from the picnic. Behind them is a vintage truck with "Elco Tool and Screw Corp." detailed on the driver's side door.
1954
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.291
Pie Eating Contest at the Annual Company Picnic, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of Elco employees at their annual company picnic. Eight young men are participating in a pie eating contest. The are all leaned over tables with their hands behind their back as they try and eat a fruit pie the fastest.
1954
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.290
Wheelbarrow Races at the Annual Company Picnic, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of Elco employees at their annual company picnic. Employee's children can be seen participating in a fun "wheelbarrow race." The children are racing towards the photographer with their families and trees lining the background.
1954
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.289
Families Enjoying the Annual Company Picnic, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of Elco employees at their annual company picnic. This particular view of the picnic was taken near the picnic tables in the shade of the trees. Families sit at the table, or stand near by, as a clown gets set up to perform. A balloon is to the left of the clown and says, "Elco's 18th Annual Picnic."
1954
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.288
Group of Employees Posing at the Annual Company Picnic, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of Elco employees at their annual company picnic. Two men and one woman standing posing for the photographer. In the background are a group of children and a large truck that was probably used to transport supplies for the picnic.
1954
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.287
Children and their Fishing Poles from the Annual Company Picnic, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of Elco employees at their annual company picnic. Two younger boys are holding fishing poles and other souvenirs from the company picnic.
1954
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.286
Children Race at the Annual Company Picnic, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of Elco employees at their annual company picnic. The children, various genders and races, are running towards the photographer with their families and trees lining the background.
1954
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.285
Soda Drinking Competition at the Annual Company Picnic, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of Elco employees at their annual company picnic. In this particular photograph eight females (possibly employees and spouses) are standing in a line while competing in what appears to be a soda drinking competition.
1954
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.284
Employees Posing at Annual Company Picnic, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of Elco employees at their annual company picnic. Two male employees are posing for the camera with cigars in their mouths with the park in the background.
1954
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.283
Employee Draining Screws, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of an Elco employee with his back to the camera as he pulls a cage filled with product out of a watertub. This was presumably the last stop before the product was sent for its final inspection. This image is an alternate view of another photograph that can be seen on 2018.78.302
1957
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.282
Employee Working in Production Area, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of an Elco employee working on a piece of machinery. The employee is seated and is holding a screw in each hand and is inserting each one into a separate part of the machine. It is unclear what is being done to the screws, but there appears to be shavings surrounding the machinery so perhaps she is smoothing out the heads of each screw.
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.281
Tapping Screws, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of an Elco catalog cover for their tapping screws. The Elco logo is in the center with five screws under the "O" on the right hand side.
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.280
Wayne Johnson and Jake Luyinger, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of two Elco Tool and Screw employees, Wayne Johnson and Jake Luyinger (sp), from the Recreation Association.
March 1954
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.279
Production Control Department, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of three Elco Tool and Screw employees working in the Production Control Department. Each employee has their own work stations with something that looks very similar to a drafting board. On each board there appears to be large pieces of paper with information printed on it. The employees seem to be comparing what is on the larger pieces of paper with the stacks in front of them. (Similar to 2018.78.261).
November 1958
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.278
Maintenance Department, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of Elco Tool and Screw's Maintenance Department employees. In total there are ten men included in the photograph.
March 1955
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.277
Employees in Front of a John Deere Tractor During Construction, Elco Industries, Inc.
Black and white photograph of six Elco Tool and Screw employees. These men are standing in front of a John Deere tractor in what appears to be a construction site.
1973
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.276
Candid Photograph of Employee Working with a Manufacturing Machine, Elco Industries, Inc.
Black and white photograph of female Elco Tool and Screw employee working at a manufacturing machine.
1976
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.275
Darwin Miller, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of Darwin Miller. Mr. Miller was employed by Elco Tool and Screw Corp. for thirty-three years; as a Personnel Director and Vice President of Manufacturing.
June 1961
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.274
Employees and Spouses Conversing at the Twenty Year Party Hosted at the Faust Hotel, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of employees at Elco Tool and Screw Twenty Year Party hosted at the Faust Hotel on November 5, 1963. This particular photograph shows a table shot with employees and their significant others enjoying conversation prior to the start of their meal (note the silverware and bread still present on the table).
November 5, 1963
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.273
Employees and Spouses Enjoying Dinner the Twenty Year Party Hosted at the Faust Hotel, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of employees at Elco Tool and Screw Twenty Year Party hosted at the Faust Hotel on November 5, 1963. This particular photograph shows a table shot with employees and their significant others enjoying conversation while a few finish eating their food.
November 5, 1963
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.272
Employees and Spouses at the Twenty Year Party Hosted at the Faust Hotel, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of employees at Elco Tool and Screw Twenty Year Party hosted at the Faust Hotel on November 5, 1963. This particular photograph shows a table shot with employees and their significant others enjoying conversation and coffee following their meal (note the lack of silverware on the table).
November 5, 1963
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.271
Roy Jacobson Speaking at the Twenty Year Party Hosted at the Faust Hotel, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of employees at Elco Tool and Screw Twenty Year Party hosted at the Faust Hotel on November 5, 1963. This particular photograph shows Roy E. Jacobson, President of Elco, standing at the Hotel's podium addressing the party.
November 5, 1963
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.270
Four Individuals Posing at the Twenty Year Party Hosted at the Faust Hotel, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of employees at Elco Tool and Screw Twenty Year Party hosted at the Faust Hotel on November 8, 1951. This particular photograph shows four individuals (employees and spouses or just employees) posing for the photographer in a corner of the ballroom.
November 8, 1951
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.269
Employees and Spouses Seated at Table 11 at the Twenty Year Party Hosted at the Faust Hotel, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of employees at Elco Tool and Screw Twenty Year Party hosted at the Faust Hotel on November 8, 1951. This particular photograph shows table number eleven with employees and their significant others pausing one of their dinner courses to pose for the photographer.
November 8, 1951
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.268
Employees Opening their Anniversary Gifts at the Twenty Year Party Hosted at the Faust Hotel, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of four employees at Elco Tool and Screw Twenty Year Party hosted at the Faust Hotel on November 8, 1951. This particular photograph shows Rose Edstrom, Carl Segergren, Carl Anderson, and F.G. Richardson (specific order unclear) opening their special gift, wrist watches, to commemorate their twenty-five years at Elco.
November 8, 1951
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.267
Employees and Spouses Seated at Table 6 at the Twenty Year Party Hosted at the Wagon Wheel, Elco Industries, Inc.
Black and white group photograph of employees at Elco Tool and Screw Twenty Year Party hosted at the the Wagon Wheel Restaurant in 1970. This particular photograph shows table number six with employees and their significant others sitting with each other and enjoying conversation prior to their meal.
1970
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.266
Employees and Spouses at the Twenty Year Party Hosted at the Wagon Wheel, Elco Industries, Inc.
Black and white group photograph of employees at Elco Tool and Screw Twenty Year Party hosted at the the Wagon Wheel Restaurant in 1970. This particular photograph shows a table shot with employees and their significant others sitting with each other and enjoying conversation prior to their meal.
1970
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.265
Employees and Spouses at the Twenty Year Party Hosted at the Wagon Wheel, Elco Industries, Inc.
Black and white group photograph of employees at Elco Tool and Screw Twenty Year Party hosted at the the Wagon Wheel Restaurant in 1970. This particular photograph shows a table shot with employees and their significant others. Based on the photograph it appears as though they were enjoying one of their first courses of the evening; a cup of soup with fresh rolls.
1970
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.264
John Kasper Presenting a Gift at the Twenty Year Party Hosted at the Wagon Wheel, Elco Industries, Inc.
Black and white group photograph of employees at Elco Tool and Screw Twenty Year Party hosted at the the Wagon Wheel Restaurant in 1970. In this particular photograph John Kasper, Elco President, is shaking an employee's hand after Mr. Kasper presented him with a gift (possibly to commemorate his anniversary with the Company).
1970
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.263
Employees Pose at the Twenty Year Party Hosted at the Wagon Wheel, Elco Industries, Inc.
Black and white group photograph of employees at Elco Tool and Screw Twenty Year Party hosted at the the Wagon Wheel Restaurant in 1970. In this particular photograph 18 employees stand together on the stage to pose for the photograph.
1970
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.262
Production Control Department, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of five Elco Tool and Screw employees working in the Production Control. Each employee has their own work stations with something that looks very similar to a drafting board. On each board there appears to be large pieces of paper with information printed on it. The employees seem to be comparing what is on the larger pieces of paper with the stacks in front of them.
1958
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.261
1957 Employee Baseball Team, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of three Elco Tool and Screw employees posing with a baseball and their gloves. Each individual is wearing athletic gear, so it is believed that they had just finished (and possibly won) a baseball game. The player's names and their location are unknown.
1957
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.260
Product Kit, Elco Tool and Screw
Black and white photograph of an Elco Tool and Screw Kit. This image could have been used for marketing materials.
Midway Village Museum
Still Image
2018.78.259