Hot Days at Highland Homestead Power Show

Larry G. Creed, R.R. #13, Box 209, Brazil, Indiana 47834 sent
these photographs of engines in action at the 1995 Highland
Homestead Power Show.

A 1911 Gaar Scott 18 HP, owned by the Erwin Weder family.

The Highland, Illinois, show was held August 11-13 on some of
the hottest days of the year with temperatures soaring to 100
degrees and humiture of 105. The high temperature did not deter the
exhibitors from having a fine display of tractors, hit and miss
engines, steam engines and other antiques.

Some of the steam engine companies represented were
Keck-Gonnerman, Reeves, Gaar Scott, Advance and Nichols &
Shepard. Rick Apple and party were composed of steam
‘volunteers’ from Tennessee and Kentucky who tested out the
sawmill. Other steam activities besides saw milling were threshing,
rock crushing and plowing.

I was treated to ‘Keck-Gonnerman’ sweet corn which was
boiled with steam from Joe Graziana’s 15 HP Keck-Gonnerman
steam engine. This produces very tasty sweet corn, but I wonder if
Nichols & Shepard or perhaps Advance-Rumely corn would be even
tastier?

On Saturday afternoon the 15 HP Keck-Gonnerman was relieved of
the sweet corn cooking detail and put on the sawmill. Joe Graziana
demonstrated what happens to a steam engine in a hard pull with a
‘too full water glass.’ (Joe was not the person who
over-filled the boiler.)

While viewing the equipment, spectators could appreciate the
long hours spent on restoration and the hard work and effort put
into the show. The flea market was well managed with a good mix of
antiques and crafts. Close parking is not a problem a large field
at the edge of the show grounds provides more than ample
parking.

One of the aims of this show is to have ”new’
pieces of equipment displayed each year so the exhibits change from
one year to the next. This aspect makes this show interesting to
visit each and every year.