From Gardening Tools to Tonka Toys

The company we know now as Tonka Toys didn't originally start out as Tonka Toys.  In 1946, Mound Metalcraft was created in Mound, Minnesota. Their original business model was for gardening tools. The founders of the company were Lynee Everett Baker, Avery F. Crounse and Alvin F. Tesch. They purchased an old school house, being used as a manufacturing plant, from Streater Industries.  Along with the purchase of the building, Mound Metalcraft also purchased the tooling for 2 steel toys.  

Mound Metalcraft Advertising from Thrillist.com

The name Tonka Toys has appeared on all Tonka Toys since 1947.  The company however, did not chage its name from Mound Metalcraft until 1956.  The iconic yellow Tonka Dump Truck was introduced prior to 1955.  They also introduced wreckers, semis and box vans.  The introduction of these toys were meant to give them a competitive edge over Buddy L, Marx and other popular toy companies of the time.  

​The two toys they purchased tooling for were the Steam Shovel and the Crane and Clam.  The Steam Shovel was introduced in 1947 and the Crane in 1948.  According to  www.thrillist.com, Mound Metalcraft sold over 37,000 of the toys in the first year along. 
These toys were 1:18 scale toys.  They were all metal with an enameled finish.  


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Iconic Yellow Dump Truck From Tonka Toys via www.neatoldtoys.com

Tonka continued to grow for 25 years.  In 1982 - 83, they moved to Texas.  In 1991, they were purchased by Hasbro and moved to China in 1998. 

Check out the Tiny Tonkas available for sale on our site!  

Resources 

1. Neat Old Toys 
2. Thrill List 
3. Neat Old Toys Mighty Tonka