613 8th Avenue Charles City, Iowa 50616
This is a 1903 Hart-Parr stationary engine owned and restored by
Michael Shanks of Nora Springs, Iowa. Michael purchased this engine
from Roy Hanson, whose father Hans bought it new. The Hart Parr
engine was kept and maintained by the Hanson family all these years
until it was sold to Michael in July of 1994.
Michael is a great-nephew of Charles Hart, cofounder of the
Hart-Parr tractor. Michael Shanks lives on a Hart farm two miles
north of Nora Springs, Iowa. He is also restoring other Hart Parr
tractors.
The Threshers Reunion this year was almost a ‘rain out.’
Saturday was only fair, Sunday it rained all day, but Monday was
good. We just had a lot of mud to contend with.
We have acquired a one hundred year old rural school house from
the area and put it on a permanent foundation and it has been
restored to some extent.
We have built a new 60 x 32 ft. machine shed this summer. We
have a parade of tractors and steam engines every day, followed by
a door prize drawing. A band shell and bleachers, under shade
trees, provides old time music through the day. Anyone can come and
entertain. We have a large flea market, and we had good business in
the lunch stand.
Next year, our 30th, will feature International Harvester and
Farmall and all related equipment.
