Box 156, Cumberland, Iowa 50843
The second annual show sponsored by the Central Hawkeye Gas
Engine and Tractor Association was held on July 23, 24, 1977 at the
Hawkeye Antique Acres Show Grounds near Waukee, Iowa. The grounds
are owned by a corporation consisting of about 24 members of the
Central Hawkeye Club. The grounds will serve as the permanent home
of the Central Hawkeye Show. The show grounds consists of 26 acres
shaded by beautiful old oak trees. The show grounds are located
approximately 15 miles west of DesMoines, Iowa, and can be seen
from Interstate 80- It is an excellent location and offers many
opportunities for growth.
180 gas engines, 100 miniatures, 30 tractors and 2 steam engines
was the official count of numbers exhibited. Numbers are only
numbers as the quality of the items exhibited was truly
outstanding. Included among the gas engines was a rare
hopper-cooled Lenox, made at Marshalltown, Iowa. This gem is owned
by Frank Light of Gowrie, Iowa. Marvin Stochl of Tama, Iowa,
brought an unusual Bauer engine. Dennis Powers big Otto engine and
Lyle Dumont’s 10 HP Mogul side shaft were big crowd pleasers.
The McClures of Dallas Center, Iowa, brought three nice Stickneys
in the 1?, 3, and 5 HP sizes. Numerous other engines polished and
running, ground corn, pumped water, washed clothes, and furnished
light for the spectators.
The tractor display included 6 Rumely Oil Pulls, all different
sizes. The largest Oil Pull was Lyle Dumont’s big 30-60. Lyle
also brought a Waterloo Boy to the show. The rest of the John Deere
line included A’s, H’s, and a scarce wide tread G. P. A.
big line-up of Allis Chalmers equipment was displayed and at the
head of the line was the 19th W. C. Allis made. It is the prized
possession of Lavern and Robert Grief of Dallas Center, Iowa. Other
tractors displayed included a rare Economy tractor, plus an F-20 on
steel and a Farmall Regular on steel. The tractor exhibitors got a
chance to do a little plowing in the oats stubble and this was
enjoyed by all.
Threshing was displayed by the Thayne Henderson family on the
Henderson land adjoining the show grounds. Several threshing
machines were available to use, as the Hendersons operate the
stagecoach trail museum and specialize in early farm machinery.
A large flea market set up on the show grounds had a variety of
items to brouse through.
A number of teams of horses were brought by exhibitors. They
pulled everything from an oats wagon to the covered wagon sponsored
by the Dallas County Historical Society. The teams were favorites
of the children and many rides were given.
100 miniatures were displayed. The tiny engines were steam, gas,
and hot air powered. The craftsmanship in these little jewels was
amazing and the hours involved in building them too numerous to
believe.
A large tent was put up to house the headquarters and other
displays. Some of the ladies brought beautiful displays of old
quilts, antique buttons, old purses, toys, and rolling pins.
Padlocks, cast iron seats and old wrenches were also displayed.
Saturday night a potluck dinner was held by the exhibitors. When
the food appeared from various cars and campers, it seemed as
though the tables would fall down from the load. By the time
everyone had gone through the line once, the people coming for
seconds just had a few scraps to pick from. Credit should go to the
ladies as they seem to come up with better dishes at each
potluck.
A shower of welcomed rain arrived Sunday morning and made things
a little muddy. This did not seem to deter the spectators or still
the enthusiasm of the exhibitors and by afternoon, threshing was
once again underway.
All exhibitors were given a brass plaque in appreciation of the
efforts they made to contribute to the success of the show. The
show seems to be better and better and we think it’s one to put
on your calendar to see.
