1996 Homestead Power Show AT HIGHLAND, ILLINOIS
By Larry G. Creed
RR 13, Box 209 Brazil, Indiana 47834
Bill Jansen and son of Dieterich, Illinois, making the ground roll with a plow at the Highland show.
The ninth annual show was held 2 miles from Highland, Illinois, at "The Homestead" of Louis Latzer who founded the Pet Milk Company on the "new" show dates of September 13, 14, and 15, 1996. The patrons and exhibitors alike appreciated the pleasant weather as compared to the previous show date of August last year.
Three "new" steam engines were present for the 1996 show: Andy Craig's 20-70 HP Nichols and Shepard, Bill Jansen's 24 HP Minneapolis and Bill's model of a Nichols and Shepard double rear mount.
Most people would not think of the smaller Midwestern shows as "plowing shows" but this show is an exception, as a lot of plowing was done with steam. The plowing conditions were excellent, and quite a show was put on by the 24 HP Minneapolis and the 20-70 Nichols and Shepard.
On the business end of the plow is Bill Jansen's 24 HP Minneapolis serial #8496.
The featured tractor of the show was Oliver and the large gathering of Oliver and Hart Parr tractors was well received by the show visitors. The show also had a fine display of various other makes of tractors and gas engines.
The sawmill skids were filled with good saw logs, the sawmill and crew were busy for all three show days. A variety of steam engines and engineers were tested out at the mill. Rock crushing, shingle making and threshing were performed at the show with good results.
Visiting steam engineers at the show were from the states of Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and Illinois. On Saturday evening of the show these engineers gathered together to enjoy a good meal and share some steam camaraderie. Joe Graziana, who served as informal host of this event, was presented with articles to help him in the steam hobby and was given the title "Professor A. Graziana."
Gordon and John Kemper's 19 HP side mounted Keck-Gonnerman serial #1843 at Highland, IL.
Andy Craig of Vandalia, IL with his Nichols & Shepard 20-70 serial #13603 on the sawmill at Highland.
John Ford, Bill Jansen, Rick Apple and Paulette Apple at the "Highland Steam Banquet." John and Rick, who hail from Tennessee, sport "hillbilly" felt hats and "moonshine" jugs thoughtfully provided by the host.
Professor A. Graziana showing off his new symbols of office and declaring a new "decree."
Next year's show will again be the second weekend after Labor Day, and promises to be even better as a newly restored Minneapolis steam engine should make its first appearance at the show. Perhaps Joe Graziana can be persuaded to bring one of his Harrison "Jumbo" steam engines.