R.G. LeTourneau
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Laureates
Evangelist, Inventor, Businessman and Educator
Mr. R.G. LeTourneau arrived in North Peoria (Averyville) from Stockton, California to take advantage of being co-located to Caterpillar because he primarily used Caterpillar engines to power his equipment. R. G. LeTourneau, Inc. set up shop in Peoria and began building scrapers and bulldozer attachments in a matter of weeks.
Once LeTourneau’s manufacturing activities were at full capacity, machines such as the bulldozer, scrapers of all sorts, dredgers, portable cranes, rollers, and dump wagons were produced here. R. G. LeTourneau, Inc. built 70% of the heavy earthmoving equipment used by the allies in World War II all from plants located throughout the United States. During the post-war years, LeTourneau machines could be found working around the world on road construction projects, leveling mountains and clearing jungles. In order to help ensure that LeTourneau’s high standards were met, he designed and manufactured the cranes, welding rod, wire rope and several machined tools for supporting his equipment.
Over several decades, the LeTourneau businesses expanded throughout seven different cities and upon three different continents: Stockton, CA; Peoria, IL, Toccoa, Georgia; Rydalmere Australia; Vicksburg, MS; Stockton-on-Tees, England and Longview, TX.
LeTourneau and his wife Evelyn Peterson also founded LeTourneau University, a private, Christian Institution in Longview, TX.