March/April 1977
Syl Henry
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Mr. and Mrs. George Vint of Milwaukee, Wisconsin shocking grain for Rock River Thresheree.
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Janesville, Wisconsin 53545.
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Some years ago John Horton of Edgerton, Wisconsin got the urge
to thrash his grain by steam power. He invited several of his
friends to help him, not only his friends, but about 400 strangers
showed. You can imagine his amazement when such a large group of
spectators came to watch him thrash with an old separator using
steam for power. The year was 1955 and this steam enthusiasm just
grew and grew. It outgrew John's farm, and the American Legion
Park in Edgarton a few years later.
In 1960 a club was formed. They purchased 30 acres of property
in Rock County, midway between Edgerton and Janesville on Highway
51, easily accessible from 1-90. Two years later the purchase
expanded to 110 acres. Being close to the Rock River it was soon
christened 'Rock Thrasheree Park.'
The following year Mr. Walter Durst, Foundry and Machine Works
owner, was vacationing in Germany. While there he discovered a
small 75 horse power, saddle tank, dockside, steam locomotive. He
loved it and was able to purchase it, which he did and shipped it
home. The Henschel Engine, built in 1943 in Kassel, straddles a 600
millimeter track (23.65) inches, a gauge for which no rolling stock
was available in the United States. Walter built the rolling stock
to fit. He reconstructed the engine as a Civil War Model, complete
with two cars, which he also built naming it the 'Rock River
Cannon Ball.' It now makes many trips around the 1 mile track
through the park during the summer months.
A short time later a large pile driver was added by Mr. Peter
Burno of Deforest, Wisconsin. This machine is a fantastic piece of
equipment, capable of driving a pole 20 feet into the solid ground
by steam power. Its tower is 70 feet high.
Many other rare antique, proto type, and one of a kind machines
are kept at the park, including a shingle mill manufactured in 1902
and a 50 horse power, 1910 Fairbanks-Morse, 2 cycle diesel engine
which was used to furnish power for a feed mill in Clarno,
Illinois.
The club membership now exceeds one hundred. It held Its 20th, 3
day bi-centennial show Labor day weekend which attracted over
15,000 people.
The park's annual show is the major source of income,
however, several other non-profit organizations such as church,
drum corps, etc., also benefit. The park is used for scout camping
and picnics during the summer time, contributing considerably to
the community.