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1880~Gilbert Higgins, a resident of Winfield, Illinois begins
selling coal to area farmers for their threshing machines. He also hauls gravel
and sand with his team of horses and enjoys being Postmaster of the Village.
1889~ Sanders Higgins, one of Gilbert's 7 children, rents a
home on the west side of Winfield Road, south of the railroad tracks. 1894~ Sanders Higgins leases the General Store from William Fehrman. This is expanded by 1903 to include a feed shed and a scale
installed for selling hard coal from Pennsylvania to be used in homes and soft
Illinois coal to be used for the threshing machines. Sanders, like his
father, involves himself in civic duties by serving as Postmaster and Justice of
the Peace.1895~ The first load of coal is sold.
1911~ George Higgins, the son of Sanders Higgins, takes
control of the family business and begins to sell coal at the counter of the
general store. He serves as the first Village Clerk in 1921.
1930's~ The emphasis moves from coal to gravel.
1938~ The coal business is moved out of the Higgins Store and
a small office is built on Winfield Road, the present site of
Winfield Fuel & Material Co.
1942-1948~ Additions are made to accommodate growth: a new
office, a scale, and a chicken shed. These are followed by the first
warehouse along the railroad tracks in 1945 and the selling of building
materials in 1948.
1950's~ The emphasis moves toward masonry materials.
1956~ The warehouse closest to Winfield Road is built to
accommodate a booming business and the growth in the area.
1962~ A warehouse to the far north of the property is
constructed.
1970's~ The emphasis moves toward landscaping products.
1973~ The current office building is built with on-going
updating to reflect needs for a showroom, customer sales areas, and a sales
floor.
2000~ With Tommy & Jenny taking interest in the business, the
Saylor's and John Higgins have begun to pass down their business savvy and their
pride in their part in Winfield history to be sure Winfield Fuel & Material
continues to grow with today's market by offering the best in customer service
and quality product.
2005~ With great excitement
Winfield Fuel &
Material celebrated its 110th year as a family owned and operated business in
Winfield, Illinois. In celebration they hosted various events including a
build a pond day and dealer representation days. In October John Higgins
retired leaving the Saylor family to continue on the legacy of their ancestors.
Today~ Winfield Fuel &
Material is widely known for its extensive supply of
landscaping and masonry materials. We maintain strong
relationships with our customers, who range from major local contractors
to the homeowner down the street. Whether you are looking for the
material to finish a small landscaping project, a major renovation with
brick pavers, or help with the knowledge on how to install your own
pond, you will find total customer satisfaction at
Winfield Fuel & Material. We take great pride in
leading this family owned business into the next generation. Tom
and Bonnie Saylor operate Winfield Fuel &
Material now. Their children ,Tommy and Jennifer, hope
to be the fifth generation of the Higgins-Saylor family to run the
historic business.
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