The Steam Show At Antique Acres

We have thirteen grain threshers, the outstanding of these, a
36-58 Case with a Sattley swinging stacker, owned by Alfred
Lindeman. A 32-56 Rumely with wing feeders is owned by Andy
Fischels. A 30 inch Wood Brothers is owned by John Sunder
Meyer.

We have 36 tractors of 20 different makes. Outstanding among
these are a 1920, 60 Caterpillar and a 15-30 Townsend, like new. A
1916 Galloway like new, 50 gasoline engines of 22 different makes.
All kinds of horse drawn machinery, some over a hundred years old,
and of very rare vintage.

There are two saw mills on the grounds, both in operating
condition. One 24 inch wood planer, a shingle saw, 2 Baker Fans and
one (1) Prony Brake. We also have a two (2) cylinder double drum
hoisting engine.

There are five (5) tank wagons, dray wagons, brush plows, potato
planting and digging equipment. Also, there is a horse drawn cane
mill and a horse drawn sweep mill for grinding feed and many other
articles too numerous to mention.

The ground facilities of which I am enclosing an air view,
consists of the following: a deep well with approved water supply
all over the grounds, a utility building with rest rooms, hot and
cold showers, and a large kitchen in the front of this modern
building.

We have two 40 x 100 quansit storage buildings, also used for
exhibit purposes, a blacksmith shop and maintenance building. Some
of the equipment in this shop is over 100 years old.

Last year we added a souvenir stand where you can buy almost
anything in the souvenir line including steam and gas tractor
books, cook books and pastry books. Also, subscriptions to the
various steam and gas magazines, steam engine jewelery, caps, tee
shirts and many articles too numerous to mention.

It is our intention during this year to erect a large pole
building for storage of threshers, hullers and other equipment and
during the show, it will be used for exhibits.

We have beautiful lawns around the utility building and lots of
shade trees. Facilities for campers are the best, with rest rooms
and showers at their disposal.

You will see at the Acres, one of the finer shows going, with
everything operating. There is threshing, saw milling, shingle
sawing and souvenir shingles to take home. They also plane lumber,
have Baker fans in operation and steamers and tractors taking the
brake test. There is steam plowing twice a day by the Smolik
Brother’s 140 Reeves and 14 bottom plow, a large daily parade
and large replica of the steam boat, ‘Lady Gay’, with lots
of Calliope music and steam boat whistles, beautifully narrated.
Also occasional music from the grandstand.

Here you will meet some of the finest people putting on the
show. These people are interested enough to explain the equipment
as it was used during the past century.

Last, but not least, there is good food – ice cream, snow cones,
pop corn and all kinds of soft drinks during the show days.

It is our aim to keep our equipment operating as this is what
you come to see.

At 6:00 A.M., you will see the Engineers cleaning flues, firing
up and tuning up their engines. Around 8:00 A.M., after a good
breakfast, the gas engine and tractor boys, come alive. They start
a piece of equipment, then stand there and explain it to their
audience, one after another. By 10:00 A.M., the Baker fans will be
operating continually changing engines and tractors. At 11:00 A.M.,
a saw mill is running, sawing lumber to be used for more ground
buildings in the future.

All this time there is Calliope music and what have you. At noon
all whistles blow. Time for dinner – boy do you get hungury! The
noon hour is primarily used for eating, visiting and preparation
for afternoon activities. Also during this time, starts the big job
of lining up the parade. Boy, what a job. If you don’t think so
ask Don Gibbons or Roy Harper or anyone else who might be helping
do it. This parade lasts over an hour by the time the last piece
goes by the grandstand.

As fast as the steamers are through the parade, they prepare for
the afternoon activities. One setting the thresher, one at the saw
mill, some to the fans, hooking on to the plow or any other thing
they might be directed to do. Most gas engines and a lot of
tractors are in operation. Some are pulling equipment, others
giving rides or any demonstration you might ask for.

During these shows, we thresh between 25 and 40 acres of grain,
saw 10,000 to 15,000 feet of lumber and endless numbers of
shingles. The fans and Prony brake really are interesting. This is
especially true when some of the old tractors don’t quite come
up to what they bragged about.

Threshing also draws large crowds. Some volunteer to pitch one
more time; some never have and want to try it. The separator man
gets a big kick out of people climbing on the grain wagon and
picking up the grain feeling it for weight and smelling of it, and
what not. Some climb on the engine or separator and tell how they
did in their day. Then there are the boys that are not afraid of
work. They help roll logs on to the sawmill, some carry off lumber,
others saw slabs, and most, just plain watch. Boy, do we have
fun!

I would like to give recognition to some of the people that
really make the show go. There is Mr. Harold Smith, the guy that
handles the address system, busiest man on the grounds. He knows
most of the machines by heart.

Then there is Mr. Fred Golinvaux, with the steam boat ‘Lady
Gay’. What a sportsman, and he dresses the part – stiff Katy
and all. The steam boat-you must see it to believe it. This boat
was built lock stock and barrel by Mr. Golinvaux himself. It is a
meticulous copy of the original ‘Lady Gay’ and V-shaped
paddle wheel and all. It has a link motion valve gear, pilot house
and all calliope music and steam boat whistle – the finest. Mr.
Golinvaux is a versatile conversationalist – just try him! He is
just about a walking library and he loves people.

Then, there is Nelson Lord and Marlin Hillhouse from Iowa Falls,
Iowa; Mr. Fred Lebacken from St. Cloud, Minnesota; Art Heuser from
Sully, Iowa; Lorenz Warneka of Hudson, Iowa; Arnie Slinde, Lyle,
Minnesota; Ray Fischels, Salem, New Jersey; Mr. and Mrs. Kruger and
family of Columbia, Missouri and Omer Conrad, separator man of
Waterloo, Iowa and a number of others that volunteer their services
just because they like it. These are people you just have to have
and I don’t know just how to thank them.

During the past year, we split our show into two week ends. This
year the tentative dates are: August 2-3, August 9-10, August 30-31
and September 1st.

Also during the tourist season, beginning this year, we will be
open as a Museum for a small fee per person. Every one is always
welcome to come and see us, buy some souvenirs and take pictures.
There is always someone around and you might get a ride on a
tractor or steamer or see some other interesting activity and we
are always ready to visit and explain any equipment.