Historical Stories and Biographies: From Coal Dust to Power Parades: The Legacy of Caterpillar’s Edwards Proving Grounds

From Coal Dust to Power Parades: The Legacy of Caterpillar’s Edwards Proving Grounds

By EJ Heinz

For those of us who grew up in or around Kickapoo Township, the rumble of heavy machinery isn’t just background noise—it’s a part of our identity. In 2025, Caterpillar’s Edwards Demonstration & Learning Center hits a major milestone: 100 years of steel, soil, sweat, and spectacle.

This is more than a company story. It’s our story. And it’s time to dig into how this global brand rooted itself in central Illinois—and how a little place named Edwards became a world stage for construction innovation.

Why Edwards? A Location Chosen by History and Industry

In the 1920s, as Caterpillar grew into a major industrial force, it needed a place to put its machines through hell—and prove they could survive. Edwards, just west of Peoria, provided the perfect terrain: rolling hills, stubborn Midwestern clay, and space to move earth without limits.

But it wasn’t just dirt. The land was laced with strip mines and underground coal tunnels. The nearby E.D. Edwards Power Station, operational from 1960 to 2022, gave Caterpillar logistical power: rail lines, river access, and industrial-grade infrastructure.

A Proving Ground Like No Other

The Edwards site transformed from test field to technological cornerstone. Today, the 720-acre Demonstration & Learning Center includes high-traction hills, precision grading pits, and a 150,000 square-foot indoor Machine Development Center (MDC)—one of the only places in the world where you can move 50 tons of dirt inside.

In 2025, Caterpillar greenlit a $2.6 million expansion of its demonstration zones—proof that Edwards still plays a vital role in the brand’s future.

The Power Parades: Engineering Meets Entertainment

Between all the serious engineering, Caterpillar also knew how to throw a show.

Starting in 1964 and recurring in 1973, 1978, 1988, and 2000, the company launched the Power Parades—large-scale public demonstrations of earth-moving choreography. These events turned machines into performers and the Edwards proving grounds into a dirt-filled theater.

Over 100,000 people attended some parades. More than two dozen shows were performed during a single season. Track-type tractors and loaders moved in perfect sync, while characters like “Toby the Clown” and “Alexander Botts” added family-friendly flair. For many, these parades were unforgettable—a blend of mechanical power and community pride.

Watch the 2000 Power Parade here:
Caterpillar Power Parade 2000 (Full Footage)

Go behind the scenes at the Edwards facility:
Inside the Caterpillar Edwards Demonstration Center

Land, Legacy, and the Road to 2025

Kickapoo Township has changed. Edwards has changed. But the presence of Caterpillar—sometimes controversial, often complicated—has been constant.

Yes, the relationship between company and community hasn’t always been smooth. Many locals, myself included, have had reasons to feel frustrated by decisions, misinformation, or shifting policies. But it’s also true that Caterpillar has employed generations, trained talent, and kept central Illinois on the global manufacturing map.

As 2025 nears, there’s talk of a new Power Parade. And why not? The centennial is the perfect time to reflect on how far we’ve come—and to remind the world that the heart of heavy equipment still beats strongest right here in the Midwest.

Share Your Stories—Let’s Tell the Whole Truth

Were you at the Power Parades? Did you work the grounds, test equipment, or tag along as a kid to see giant machines do the impossible? Please share your stories and images.

This isn’t just a Caterpillar story. It’s ours. Let’s make sure we get it right—and make it complete. Happy 100th.