The Kewanee Boilermakers were founding members of the Central Association in 1908, fielding a professional team for the first time in Kewanee, Illinois. Kewanee joined the Burlington Pathfinders, Keokuk Indians, Jacksonville Lunatics, Oskaloosa Quakers, Ottumwa Packers, Quincy Gems and the Waterloo Lulus in the new 8-team league for the 1908 season. The use of the "Boilermakers" moniker likely tied to the localKewanee Boiler Company, at the time a large manufacturing factory in Kewanee. Playing in the Central Association, Kewanee finished: 1908 48–79 ; 1909 73–61 ; 1911 43–91 ; 1912 59–67 and 1913 74–51. The Central Association did not have playoffs during those seasons. The Kewanee Boilermakers folded following the 1913 season, along with the Monmouth Browns. The two new teams to replace them in the 1914 Central Association were the Clinton Pilots and Marshalltown Ansons. The Central Association folded after the 1917 season, before being reformed in 1947. Kewanee High School first started using the Boilermakers moniker in 1927 and continue as the Kewanee Boilermakers today. On June 18, 1948, the Moline A's of the Central Association moved from Moline, Illinois to Kewanee and became the Kewanee A's. The team was an affiliate of the Philadelphia Athletics. Moline/Kewanee finished 53–74 for 6th place. Moline had been a founding member when the Central Association reformed as a six-team league in 1947, along with the Burlington Indians, Clinton Cubs, Hannibal Pilots, Keokuk Pirates and Rockford Rox. In 1949, the Kewanee A's finished 68–60, third in the Central Association. In the playoffs, Kewanee defeated the Keokuk Pirates 3 games to 0. In the Central Association Finals, Kewanee defeated the Cedar Rapids Rockets 4 games to 2 and captured the 1949 Central Association Championship. It was the last game played in the league. The Central League folded permanently after the 1949 season. Of the six Central League teams, only Cedar Rapids fielded a team in 1950. Kewanee has not fielded another minor league team.
Ballparks
The Kewanee Boilermakers played at Terminal Park, which was also home to the Kewanee Regulars football club. Terminal Park was on Lake Street, Kewanee, Illinois. In 1948–1949, the Kewanee A's played at Northeast Park. The ballpark had a capacity of 2,500 and 4,000. Northeast Park is still in use today. The address is 1200 North Main Street, Kewanee, Illinois.
