43138 Road 52 Reedley, California 93654
Engine people throughout California, as well as up and down the
West Coast, know a man by the name of Charlie Parishhe’s a
living legend to day among folks throughout Engineland.
Charlie is a successful, energetic businessman with a heart of
gold. He lives with his wife Sandi on the outskirts of Merced,
California, where they have a large acreage filled with old engines
and related machinery.
During the past years he has fulfilled his dream of building up
a new museum and frontier village dedicated to the folks who love
old engines and California history, and so far has been very
successful. His museum is located on Highway 140, which is a direct
route from the San Joaquin Valley to Yosemite National Park, a
route that is filled with tourists all year long. His recent
addition is an old time black smith shop, which certainly has added
attraction to his frontier village, while at the same time his
museum is being filled with numerous old time engines and early day
relics.
Charlie was also instrumental in organizing EDGE&TA Branch
18 several years ago, and has served as its president. Plans are on
the drawing board, and his mind is set out into the future when in
1998 Charlie and his active Branch 18 members plan to host the
National EDGE&TA show here in Merced. Just recently he offered
his facilities (museum and showgrounds) to host the first annual
Branch 18 fall shows which I shall describe:
The first of Branch 18’s annual fall shows was held on the
weekends of October 9th and 10th and the 16th and 17th. Even though
there were predictions of rain, and it rained all around us, God
smiled on us and we had excellent weather for all the shows.
John Dobrosky, 106 S. Spruce St., Millville,
N.J. 08332 owns this Grand Haven tractor, model CC, made by Grand
Haven Stamped Products, Grand Haven, Michigan. The company also
made a model BC. Neither has been manufactured since the early
1950s, at which time the CC sold for $695, including cultivator
bar. Replacement parts are no longer made, but as luck would have
it they weren’t necessary, as all parts were with the tractor
and fixable when John bought it.
On the first Friday night, the museum hosted a free dinner for
those who set up their displays early and helped along with
arrangements. Each day there was a tractor parade, and Brian
Sandvee did an excellent job with organization and announcing. We
had several demonstrations presented, such as blacksmith forging,
candle making, corn husk doll making and the making of ropes by
Forest Burkland with the help of his daughter. We also saw apple
cider being made by a press run with a 3 HP Fairbanks Morse gas
engine, as well as the making of ice cream by Tom Berry and his
wife. One of the highlights of the shows was the exhibition
of Irv Baler’s 1630 one cylinder Rumely, which is an
attraction wherever shown. Tom Menzell brought his 3 cylinder 1906
Union 50 HP stationary engine, which was purchased new by Tom’s
grandfather. It was used until 1928, at which time it was replaced
by a 40 HP electric motor. Menno Kliewer brought his Early Day
Power Display trailer demonstrating early day apple peeling, family
clothes washing and corn shelling. Other exhibitors participated by
bringing their tractors and engines; we wish to thank each one of
them. Everyone had a neat time just being together and
‘fellowshipping.’
Mark your calendars for Branch 18 upcoming shows in 1994. The
dates will be May 14, 15,21, & 22. The Fall shows are scheduled
for September 10, 11, 17, & 18. This museum has 11 large
stationary engines on display, as well as a permanent display scale
model of the pro posed Yosemite Valley railroad which is scheduled
to run from Castle to the National Park. Please feel free to drop
in and see us at the museum. You will be glad you did, and we would
certainly like to show you around. Video at the recent shows are
available by contacting the Agricultural Museum 4498E, Highway 140,
Merced, California 95340.
