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==History== [[File:Plano Binder.png|thumb|The Plano Binder produced by the Plano Manufacturing Company|left]] In the early 1860s, the [[Marsh, Steward & Company|Marsh brothers]] began producing their Marsh [[Reaper|Harvester]] in Plano. From 1863 to the beginning of the twentieth century the Plano Manufacturing Company, as it became known, provided the foundation for Plano's development.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dickson|first1=Elmer|title=Story of Harvester, Which Made Plano Famous|url=http://kendallkin.org/county-history/town-histories/plano/harvester-story-1908.html|access-date=31 July 2014|work=Kendall County News|date=17 June 1908}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Ardrey|first1=Robert L.|title=American Agricultural Implements: A Review of Invention and Development in the Agricultural Implement Industry of the United States|publisher=Published by the author.|date=1894|location=Chicago|isbn=1-112-32700-2|pages=[https://archive.org/details/americanagricul00ardrgoog/page/n201 196]β199|url=https://archive.org/details/americanagricul00ardrgoog|access-date=31 July 2014}}</ref> Because of this, [[Plano High School (Illinois)|Plano High School]] has adopted the ''reaper'' as its mascot. Plano was the one-time headquarters for the [[Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints]]. [[Joseph Smith III]], son of slain LDS movement founder [[Joseph Smith|Joseph Smith Jr.]], moved to Plano in 1866 and ran the church's printing operation from there.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Plano Stone Church |url=http://cityofplanoil.com/history/stonechurch.html |work=Plano's Rich History|publisher=City of Plano, Illinois|access-date=4 October 2012}}</ref> As the schism with the Utah branch of the Latter Day Saints deepened, he moved with the church headquarters to [[Lamoni, Iowa]] in 1880 to be closer to what the Community of Christ believed to be the true church headquarters at [[Temple Lot]] in Missouri rather than in Utah.<ref>{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Charles Miller|title=THE LAMONI YEARS: 1881β1906|url=http://www.welcometobibleverses.org/my_articles/Charles_book_phd/Chapter7/Chapter7rev2.htm|work=JOSEPH SMITH III AND THE MORMONS OF UTAH|publisher=Welcome To Bible Verses|access-date=4 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327235100/http://www.welcometobibleverses.org/my_articles/Charles_book_phd/Chapter7/Chapter7rev2.htm|archive-date=27 March 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Community development has been centered around a strong agricultural setting, with the only inhabitants of the area before its incorporation being the owners of [[Gristmill|grist mills]].<ref name=prh1>{{cite web|title=Plano's Rich History; Main Page|url=http://www.cityofplanoil.com/history.html|work=Plano's Rich History|publisher=City of Plano, IL|access-date=31 August 2012}}</ref> This development was supported by the city's location along [[US Route 34]] and the ''[[Illinois Zephyr]]'' [[Amtrak]] passenger rail service.<ref>{{cite web|title=Plano, IL (PLO)|url=http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=am2Station&pagename=am%2Fam2Station%2FStation_Page&cid=1237405734891|work=AMTRAK Stations list|publisher=Amtrak|access-date=31 August 2012}}</ref> The Plano Molding Company, manufacturer of fishing tackle equipment as well as other plastic domestic containment units, has its headquarters in Plano.<ref>{{cite web|title=Plano Molding -- Contact Us|url=http://www.planomolding.com/contact.php|work=Plano Molding Official Website|publisher=Plano Molding|access-date=31 August 2012}}</ref> Both of its original factories within Plano are still in operation, but the main bulk of production is now in nearby cities [[Sandwich, Illinois|Sandwich]] and [[Mendota, Illinois|Mendota]]. Plano and Sandwich have developed a sibling-like relationship. Both deeply agricultural cities are situated along a major trading route and [[BNSF Railway|rail artery]]. The two cities' high schools have developed a rivalry that has become known to the local press as the "War on 34",<ref>{{cite web |last=Lidinsky|first=Bill|title=Sandwich Stands Tall in Rivalry Match Up |url=http://www.northernillinoissportsbeat.com/2011fall/gamers/sandwichfbvplano_BL.html |work=Northern Illinois Sports Beat|access-date=31 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Armstrong|first=Rick|title=Sandwich edges Plano in 'War on 34'|url=http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/sports/8093454-419/sandwich-edges-plano-in-war-on-34.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203082006/http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/sports/8093454-419/sandwich-edges-plano-in-war-on-34.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 February 2013|work=The Beacon-News|publisher=Chicago Sun-Times|access-date=31 August 2012}}</ref> due to their location along US Route 34. In the early twenty-first century, multiple new housing developments were constructed in Plano. Due to the following [[Great Recession|economic downturn]], however, many of the houses in both the new developments and older parts of town have experienced foreclosures. Nonetheless, [[Waubonsee Community College]] opened a satellite campus in Plano in late 2011.<ref>{{cite web|last=Vergara|first=Rowena|title=WCC's Plano campus opens Nov. 1|url=http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/1983367-418/campus-plano-waubonsee-college-nov.html|work=The Beacon-News|publisher=The Chicago Sun-times|access-date=31 August 2012}}</ref> In the summer of 2011, the City of Plano was used for exterior filming for the Superman movie, ''[[Man of Steel (film)|Man of Steel]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Proclamation Smallville - 2011|url=http://www.cityofplanoil.com/zoning/SKMBT_C45111091315280.pdf|work=City of Plano Zoning|access-date=31 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322202555/http://www.cityofplanoil.com/zoning/SKMBT_C45111091315280.pdf|archive-date=22 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Various farms around the city were also used with one being used for the Kent family farm, and the downtown area was remodeled and turned into a set for downtown Smallville.<ref>{{cite web|last=DeSaulnier|first=Jordan|title=NEW 'MAN OF STEEL' SET PHOTOS: ACTION GALORE AND CLARK KENT IN PLAID|url=http://www.iamrogue.com/news/movie-news/item/4677-new-man-of-steel-set-photos-action-galore-and-clark-kent-in-plaid.html|work=i am ROGUE|access-date=31 August 2012}}</ref> Other areas used for filming were nearby, and part of [[Illinois Route 56|IL 56]], north of [[Sugar Grove, Illinois|Sugar Grove]] was shut down for two days for filming despite being closed for "Road Repair".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110727/news/707279886/|title=Superman movie to film in Sugar Grove|last=Sarkauskas|first=Susan|date=2011-07-27|website=Daily Herald|access-date=2016-06-16}}</ref> Plano declared itself Smallville during the filming.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cityofplanoil.com/zoning/SKMBT_C45111091315280.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-06-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322202555/http://www.cityofplanoil.com/zoning/SKMBT_C45111091315280.pdf |archive-date=2012-03-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Signs have been erected at either end of town, as well as on the end of one building on Main Street,<ref>{{cite web|last=D200DX|title=Welcome to Smallville (mural) (photo)|url=https://ssl.panoramio.com/photo/68280617|work=Panoramio|access-date=29 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106031633/https://ssl.panoramio.com/photo/68280617|archive-date=6 January 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> proclaiming a similar declaration. Additionally, a "Smallville Superfest" was organized the following summer, and has since been held annually in August.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smallvillesuperfest.com/|title=Smallvillesuperfest.com|website=Smallvillesuperfest.com}}</ref> ===The Farnsworth House=== {{Main|Farnsworth House}} [[File:Farnsworth House (5923833310).jpg|thumb|left|The Farnsworth House in July 2011]] Master Architect [[Ludwig Mies van der Rohe]] had worked on a retreat for Dr. Edith Farnsworth, a doctor from Chicago, whose complicated relationship with the architect soured the project. Cost overruns as well as questions on the house's actual usefulness led to a lawsuit between the two parties, with van der Rohe winning the suit.<ref>{{cite web|last=Goldberger|first=Paul|title=Farnsworth: The Lightness of Being |url=http://www.preservationnation.org/magazine/2004/july-august/ja04feature2.html |work=Preservation Magazine|access-date=6 May 2012}}</ref> In later years, the County Board decided to buy some of Farnsworth's land in order to straighten Fox River Drive (Ben Street in Plano), which would need a new bridge as well. Farnsworth pleaded her case to the County Board, citing evidence that the Board would be doing construction on an old Indian Site, but to no avail. The road was straightened and the new bridge built; however, to this day, the old bridge piers are still visible.<ref>{{cite web|title=Biography of Dr. Edith Farnsworth |url=http://www.farnsworthhouse.org/pdf/staff/Chapter%203C%20-%20Biography%20of%20Farnsworth.pdf |access-date=6 May 2012}}</ref> Around the same time, [[Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area|Silver Springs State Park and Wildlife Area]] was designated, down the road and across the river from [[Farnsworth House|Farnsworth's house]], forever protecting the land from development.<ref>{{cite web |title=Silver Springs History |url=http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/r2/silversp.htm |publisher=IDNR |access-date=6 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519080207/http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/R2/SILVERSP.HTM |archive-date=19 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> <!--(May 6, 2012-Adding References; could not find the following anywhere. Feel free to uncomment once this is cited) According to the preservation trust, had the land across from the house was not been turned into a park or preserve of some kind, the area would have certainly been developed, and the house possibly destroyed to make room for future development. -->
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