Tile Factory School  Mrs. Kirby had this building in mind when she wrote of Daniel's experiences at school. The school was once located near Funk's Grove.

"Nate, Nate, bald  on the Pate."

Daniel's teacher, Mr. Nelson was named after the real Tile School teacher, Nate Kinsey.  This picture was taken in 1906 and was published in the Bloomington Daily Pantagraph on 2/12/33.

John Wilcox and Sons Tile Factory From about 1884 to 1946, the Tile Factory located between McLean and Funks Grove produced  drainage tile.  The following roof views show the sawmill and a kiln.  The kiln could reach  temperatures of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit during the hours of burning.
FINISHED PRODUCT--Out of the kiln comes the finished tile, ready for use.  Most of it will be used in Illinois--some may go to neighboring states of Indian, Michigan and Wisconsin.  Most of the factory output comes in the spring and in the fall.           -Picture and text from           The Bloomington Daily Pantagraph           8/13/38	One of the last pictures taken of the  Tile Factory's smoke stack before it was torn down in 1947.

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