Proprietors Country Relics Village 3280 Briggs Woods Road,
Stanhope, Iowa 50246
Model enthusiasts gather at Country Relics Village near
Stanhope, Iowa, during the annual Biggest Little Engine Show the
last weekend in June.
The whir of model engines, be they air, gas or steam, brought
much pleasure, reminiscing, and camaraderie among the exhibitors
and spectators.
Exhibitors from across the Midwest and from as far away as
Arizona enjoyed the delightful weekend and hospitality of Varlen
and Fern Carlson, proprietors of Country Relics Village located on
the Carlsons’ family farm in the heart of central Iowa.
Exhibitors and vendors of antique flea market and crafts were
afforded the luxury of camping with their exhibits. Friday evening
the exhibitors and followers of the Rovers Band from Boone enjoyed
an evening of old time snappy listening music, kettle corn and
home-made ice cream. Saturday night the exhibitors and vendors
enjoyed the traditional appreciation barbecue and accordion music
renditions by Dixie, provided by Country Relics Village
Ron Christensen of Carlisle, Iowa, demonstrates
his model Case baler for the delight of Calvin and Alayna
Carlson.
Bob and Rita Sours of Stanfield, Arizona, have
model engines, will travel. This was their display at the 1998
‘Biggest Little Engine Show.’
Saturday brought good weather, permitting everyone to enjoy the
biggest show day with the spectacular scale model exhibits and the
14-building Country Relics Village complex from the early 1900s.
The complex includes the original Stanhope Depot built in 1882, and
a full-sized McCormick Machines Implement dealership. The little
village and homestead portion of the complex is unlike any other,
due to the downsized buildings including: a two-room
‘Baker’ house; country bar with hayloft; the one-room
Bitter Creek school complete with teacher, students and the
outhouse; the Country Store with laden shelves and the Post Office;
the little Saratoga Church and the recreated wedding of 1906; the
Levine Livery and Blacksmith Shop boasting just right sized horses
and modes of early transportation; and the combination sales,
repairs and service Stark Brothers Implement and Garage with its
car showroom of pedal cars/trucks, implement sales and service area
with gas pump out front. The one-half to two-thirds scale
‘little’ village and homestead is tastefully detailed with
authentic children’s furnishings, salesmen’s samples and
toys.
A big hit during the show is a visit to the Hove
& Mathre McCormick Machines dealership and a visit with
Christian Carlson, the animated, intelligent dummy
A child’s dream come true and an adult’s paradise, the
population of 103 dummies and visitor participation brings life to
the little village and is the perfect complement to the annual
‘Biggest Little Engine Show.’
Plan your 1999 summer show circuit to include the 8th annual,
all-scale model show at Country Relics Village. Meet your family,
friends and fellow model enthusiasts at Stanhope, Iowa, on June 26
and 27 for another weekend of relaxation sharing your model
treasures in the ideal setting of Country Relics ‘little’
village. Pack your car, plan a weekend without cooking and enjoy
the home cooking of the Country Relics Village food concession for
the best ever–hotdogs, chili, taco salads, ice cream, etc.
Country Relics Village awaits your exploration; the exhibitors
look forward to visiting with you about their handmade working
models, and the antique and craft marketers look forward to your
browsing their wares. Hope to see you all.
