511Graff way, Lee’s Summit, Missouri 64063
The Western Missouri Antique Tractor and Machinery Association
based its shows and club meetings in Adrian, Missouri, since its
beginning ten years ago. I’m outlining their history and their
present standing as something we can all learn by.
The club originated in a local coffee shop in 1976. The founding
president, Don Arndt, and Calvin Feilds were two of the original
ones to say, ‘We enjoy going to the old iron shows-why
don’t we start our own group?’ So, Western Missouri Antique
Tractor and Machinery Association was born, with 35 original
members from the local farm community and some 40 miles around.
The first years the group borrowed the Adrian park for their
shows. Then one of the city fathers came up with a long term lease
($1.00 per month) for 28 acres of the city park bordering US 71 and
Jct MO 18. As the club had a 99 year lease on the park, the group
felt safe in acquiring an old one room school house, 12 miles out
in the country and moving it to their grounds at the Adrian Jct.
Next, a large barn was erected to store the club steam engine,
thrashing machines, etc.
About this time the heart of the town began to show as more and
more business and civic groups added buildings to the main street
(reminiscent of a frontier town). A frontier saloon building was
erected to serve meals from. Next, the local banker, Gene Irvin,
built his copy of the Old Adrian, Missouri, Banking Company
building (which folded in the big depression), and this spring the
club women’s auxiliary was responsible for acquiring the
Spruce, Missouri, Mercantile store and seeing that it was
re-erected on the frontier main street (there is one lady carpenter
in their group that would put us all to shame!)
All in all, the project is just getting started, you might say.
But it’s the outpouring from the heart and support of the local
towns people that has made this a good club and an outstanding
year-round show ground. Many items not mentioned before are
stationary and can be seen year-round, such as saw mills (2);
windmills (2); sorghum press and boiling vat (we grow our sorghum
cane on the show grounds); three large one- and two-lung engines on
concrete and under roof; and of course, two old thrashing machines.
Many a small child has asked his mom and dad, ‘What’s
that?’ as they pass on US 71.
The 8th annual show was held July 25, 26, 27. The accompanying
pictures show some of the usual events seen at the Old Iron
shows-and some of the not-so-usual.
Thanks, Adrian, and Western Missouri Antique Tractor and
Machinery Association.
