Historic photos: Building of the John Deere World Headquarters
John Deere - Historical
Construction continued throughout 1962 and the building's superstructure quickly took shape. Taken 8/24/1962
John Deere - Historical
Construction of the auditorium, with the base of the stage's turntable visible, was photographed on April 26, 1963.
John Deere - Historical
William and Patricia Hewitt and their son, Alexander, center watch as construction crews prepare to erect the first steel beam of the John Deere Administrative Center on March 23, 1962.
John Deere - Historical
William Hewitt and Eero Saarinen reviewing a scale model of the Administrative Center. Taken 1958
John Deere - Historical
William Hewitt and Eero Saarinen discussing a scale model of an office for the Administrative Center. Taken 1/28/1959
John Deere - Historical
William Hewitt, left, and others look over excavation of the drainage system for the John Deere Administrative Center on Sept. 30, 1961. As chairman of the company, Hewitt was instrumental in the design and construction of the world headquarters.
John Deere - Historical
First concrete pouring during construction of the new Administrative Center. Taken 10/25/1961
John Deere - Historical
W.A. Hewitt, Eero Saarinen, E.F. Ardahl, on lift overlooking the future site of the Administrative Center. Taken 8/17/1957 by John Mills
John Deere - Historical
Visitors viewing the Girard mural at the Grand Opening of the Administrative Center. Taken 6/5/1964
John Deere - Historical
At the grand opening, following building tours and an opening ceremony in the auditorium, John Deere tractors pulled wagons full of visitors to a field east of the parking lot for demonstrations of the company's equipment. Taken 6/5/1964
John Deere - Historical
A view of the completed building. Taken in 1964
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John Deere logo used from 1956 to 1968.
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Hewitt's art legacy remains today with artwork throughout each building from Grant Wood sketches in the auditorium to Girard's "Refections of an Era" three-dimensional piece near the display floor and Henry Moore's sculpture "Hill Arches" delivered by helicopter to a site by the lakes out front.
John Deere World Headquarters - Mockup
A small building was built to be used as mockup to test the designs and room configurations being planned for the John Deere World Headquarters in Moline. Designers tested furniture, arrangements and even dining room tables in the space.
John Deere World Headquarters
John Deere World Headquarters
John Deere World Headquarters - Craig Mack
Craig Mack, standing on the bridge above the equipment display floor at the John Deere World Headquarters, sees his role as "maintaining the stewardship of the building.'' As manager of general office facilities, he is responsible for maintenance and modernization of the building. ''For the Quad-Cities, this was quite a facility 50 years ago," he says.
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Hewitt's art legacy remains today with artwork throughout each building from Grant Wood sketches in the auditorium to Girard's "Refections of an Era" three-dimensional piece near the display floor and Henry Moore's sculpture "Hill Arches" delivered by helicopter to a site by the lakes out front.
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Craig Mack also recalled how "in the old days" Deere used to hold product introductions in the company auditorium with the aid of a 32-foot revolving stage. Hewitt also used the stage to host stars of the day, such as Pearl Bailey and Glenn Campbell, for concerts.
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Craig Mack also recalled how "in the old days" Deere used to hold product introductions in the company auditorium with the aid of a 32-foot revolving stage. Hewitt also used the stage to host stars of the day, such as Pearl Bailey and Glenn Campbell, for concerts.
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Alexander Girard was commissioned to create a mural for the John Deere Company, in the entrance to their administration building designed by Saarinen near Moline, Illinois. The mural is one hundred eighty feet long and eight feet high, created entirely with three dimensional found objects.
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The John Deere World Headquarters display floor in Moline, Illinois.
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While the Cor-Ten steel building's exterior has changed very little in its five decades, its interior has had to accommodate the shifts in office functions and culture. Craig Mack, Deere's manager of general office facilities recalled how the company's computer once filled the ground floor, but today the updated infrastructure must power a computer at every desk. In 1964, teleconferencing would have been science fiction lore, but today Deere employees around the globe meet face-to-face in a Telepresence Room tucked in the West Office building.
John Deere World Headquarters
The Cor-Ten steel exterior gives the John Deere World Headquarters in Moline its distinctive look. The building, which has received numerous architectural honors, is 50 years old this year.
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According to Craig Mack, Hewitt took just as much interest in the new administrative center's interior -- acquiring artworks of different mediums to represent the various countries. "He wanted this to be like an art museum," Mack said on a recent tour. "The works relate to agriculture and represent the countries we do business in."
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In the past six to seven years, the complex been overhauled with new energy-efficient windows, new carpeting, LED lighting, reconfigured work spaces and other environmentally friendly upgrades. "We're trying to be as green as we can be, but still keep the image of the building," Craig Mack said.
John Deere World Headquarters
The West Office Building at John Deere World Headquarters is known for its plant-filled atrium. The glass roof of the building, constructed in 1978, is designed to resemble a barn.
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In the past six to seven years, the complex been overhauled with new energy-efficient windows, new carpeting, LED lighting, reconfigured work spaces and other environmentally friendly upgrades. "We're trying to be as green as we can be, but still keep the image of the building," Craig Mack said.
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In the past six to seven years, the complex been overhauled with new energy-efficient windows, new carpeting, LED lighting, reconfigured work spaces and other environmentally friendly upgrades. "We're trying to be as green as we can be, but still keep the image of the building," Craig Mack said.
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In the past six to seven years, the complex been overhauled with new energy-efficient windows, new carpeting, LED lighting, reconfigured work spaces and other environmentally friendly upgrades. "We're trying to be as green as we can be, but still keep the image of the building," Craig Mack said.
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Deere & Co. is testing out a new office floor plan at its World Headquarters in Moline. The concept, known as We @ John Deere Pilot, offers an open floor plan with comfortable, modern seating.
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In the pilot office, Deere employees can work at tables or benching stations that provide flexible workspace.
John Deere World Headquarters
The John Deere World Headquarters was designed to complement the rolling Illinois farmland it was built on.
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Hewitt's art legacy remains today with artwork throughout each building from Grant Wood sketches in the auditorium to Girard's "Refections of an Era" three-dimensional piece near the display floor and Henry Moore's sculpture "Hill Arches" delivered by helicopter to a site by the lakes out front.
When former Deere & Co. Chairman William Hewitt envisioned a new administrative center more than a half century ago, he wanted a building that not only would honor the farm equipment maker's sturdy Midwestern roots but set the tone for the global company that Deere would evolve into.
Deere & Co. is pausing production at its Davenport and Dubuque facilities May 11, and implementing further layoffs in Dubuque.