515 Northgate Dr. Dyer, Indiana 46311 Photos by Mark Corson
Most summers in northwest Indiana fall into one of two
categories, hot and dry or cool and wet. This year definitely fell
well within the first choice with daily temperatures hovering in
the high 90’s. Luckily though, our showground, the Lake County
Fairgrounds, are generously covered with tall shade trees which
breeze, good food, cold drinks and friendly people; you end up with
one very enjoyable weekend.
This year’s feature, International Harvester Tractors and
Equipment, brought exhibitors from both near and far contributing
to a very good display of various pieces. Several Titans and Moguls
were definite eye catchers. Other not so common IHC representatives
were a 1936 and 1937 Fairway 12, 1932 F-30 Duckbill tractor, a 1939
Case 30 and several smaller crawlers. The Red Power Club had a nice
display booth set up in our feature tractor building flanked by a
fine collection of IHC pedal tractors brought down from Wisconsin.
Several other outstanding or unique tractors included an impressive
collection of Massey Harris, a 1929 Baker, a 1916 Eagle, a Port
Huron steamer, a Minneapolis steamer, and a miniature scratch-built
steamer. A nice assortment of John Deeres, Allis Chalmers, Case,
Oliver, and Minneapolis Molines rounded out our field with a total
tractor display of over 180
Special recognition should be given to our members responsible
for organizing the tractors and farming equipment. Tractors belted
or hitched to the pieces they once powered looked great and at the
same time taught our uninformed visitors how things were done in
bygone days.
Our small engine exhibitors brought in over 40 old engines. Some
were just puffing away, while others powered air compressors,
shellers, pumps, etc. John Deere, Briggs, Economy, Stover, Lawson,
and of course IHC M’s and LA’s could all be seen.
Active displays were the real crowd pleasers of the weekend.
Threshing, corn shelling, and shredding, and straw baling were
always drawing crowds. A dynamometer kept the tractor owners busy
both testing their old favorites and comparing the horsepower
results of the different tractors. A blacksmith kept busy tapping
out an array of products from horseshoes to wall decorations. Grain
grinding could be seen daily using a great collection of Letz mills
once manufactured here in Crown Point, Indiana.
Over in the woods a sawmill buzzed away turning logs into boards
or timbers. The timbers were cut into blocks on a Lyons dragsaw
then transformed into shingles on a mill loaned to us and displayed
by members of Northern Indiana Historical Power Association of
Valparaiso, Indiana. Other show events consisted of a slow tractor
race, daily parades, a very popular Kiddy Tractor Pedal Pull, a
display of antique cars by the Winnamac Car Club and a relaxing
ride on our people mover. Food booths, petting zoo, flea market and
evening entertainment all contributed to the success of our show.
1992 show dates will be the 17, 18, 19 of July and the feature will
be Allis Chalmers. Please keep these dates in mind and plan to join
us to ‘Step Back To The Past.’
