The Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Association Inc. Branch 13 26th annual event took place at the McFarland Living History Ranch in early October. Watch this page for announcements for October 2004's big event!
Women in late 1800’s attire enjoyed viewing the engines and tractors at the engine show. Everyone had a great time!
The fine folks from the Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Association Inc. Branch 13 spent the day before the show passing on their wisdom and love for not only early tractors and engines but on hands-on lessons of the early day working farm.
Early engines and tractors seemed to be coming home, as they arrived at the McFarland Living History Ranch, engines, and tractors that have captured the souls of their owners. Some were giant engines bellowing giant smoke halos, often eighteen at a time forming a chain high in the sky. Some of the engines were small yet mighty, capable of pumping hundreds of gallons of water so that farmers could irrigate their dry fields.
“There was a blended sound of chug-a-chug, whoof-whoof, pop-shish-pop, all music to ‘old timers’ ears as they wandered about looking, listening, and reminiscing with one another,” said President Louise Dowdell of the Galt Area Historical Society.
The Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Association Inc Branch 13 26th annual event took place this past weekend at the historic McFarland Ranch on Orr Rd. in Galt.
“The event drew young and old,” said Dowdell. “The young people looked and asked questions. Old timers were happy to explain the working of the engines – cranks, chokes, and magnetos. History in action what better place than the big farmyard surrounded by barns, trees and open fields.”
Dave Marciel of Herald displayed a 1917 BEST 40-Crawler Tractor. Marciel became interested in old engines and tractors because he had been raised on a ranch in Herald and had been around old farm equipment all of his life.
“There is really no difference than people with horses or boats, this is my hobby,” said Marciel.
Admittedly Marciel has had bruised knuckles, blackened fingernails and has spoken a few choice words that accidentally slipped out, while working on the cantankerous old tractor.
“I found it in Clements,” said Marciel. “I heard about it from a friend that it was sitting in an old barn. I talked to the owner. It was there just as I heard. It took seven years. I stayed in contact with him. I showed him my interest until finally he realized it would have a good home with me.”
Men and women gingerly oiled gears with giant oilcans. Children were having a good time sitting in-between the great engines filling cups with dirt and rocks. Four-year-old Daniel Bold seemed as comfortable with the antique engines as his grandfather that watched over him.
“His son Patrick played with them,” said John Bold. “I hope my grandson develops the same love, but you have to let them do what they do naturally. I personally got into this years and years ago and then got out of it. As my boys got into it, I was drawn back into it as a helper and advisor.
The engines ranged from old relics found abandoned in fields to homemade. The largest engine was a 1930 Fairbanks Morse, the deep chug joined in with the symphony of smaller engines. The giant engine rescued in the Almaden Vineyards at Highway 152 near Monterey.
“This is the fourth year we have shown it,” said Steve Dimbelman. “This is pure fun socializing, rest and relaxation. I love it; it gets in your blood like an addiction. It’s a unique piece of equipment and this is a great place to have the show. The show complements the Historical Society and the farm complements us. This is the perfect setting.”
Dave (Steamer) Kestler from Herald was impressed with the improvements he has seen at the McFarland Ranch each year he has attended the engine show.
“The improvements are appreciated,” said Kestler. “The new bathrooms are great. The potential is unlimited.”
Jane and Norman Taunton had hosted the Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Show for 23-years at their ranch in Galt. The show had been moved to the McFarland Ranch three years ago.
“Everything was great, it just couldn’t have been any better,” said Jane Taunton. “We have had a wonderful time.”
According to McFarland Ranch Director Ron Jacobson, there have been many additions and improvements to the ranch.
“The biggest improvement is the public restrooms,” said Jacobson. “The outer perimeter fencing is done; the tank house is under construction. We need help with the war bonnet type windmill. We need to locate one, hopefully have someone buy it or donate it. Many people have never seen one.”
The ancient heart redwood is ready to be milled for restoration of the McFarland farmhouse. However, there is a great need for help with the windows.
“The windows are handmade, we will need 24 windows, and they are $1,500 each,” said Jacobson.
Engine show Chairperson Richard Hunt stated he has witnessed many positive changes to the ranch over the last three years.
The grass areas have increased,” said Hunt. “The bathrooms are a wonderful addition. There are new fittings, and lots of lumber ready to build. We got here at the ground floor of development. It’s a living history farm. In affect we are living history ourselves.”
A Historical Portal
Mouthwatering cookies didn’t originally come from a box and bread doesn’t come from a store bewildering realisms as children watched wheat kernels ground to a fine brown flour. Children eagerly pulverized, mixed, and cranked, then looking quite skeptical as bread and cookies were placed in the huge ovens to bake, ovens without digital readouts or even ovens that didn’t beep. The incredulous looks turn to big grins when elegant women dressed in long flowing dresses from the late 1800’s served trays of goodies to the children. Over three-hundred children from the Galt Joint Union Elementary School District had the opportunity to experience life as a child did over one-hundred years ago.
“The children are just fascinated by everything, their questions are amazing,” said Shanna Giraldes fifth grade teacher at Marengo Ranch Elementary School. “All the things the children have always taken for granted they see in action.”
Members of the Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Association Inc Branch 13 (EDGETA) gathered at McFarland Living History Ranch in Galt, a day early for their 26th Annual Galt Antique Gas Engine & Tractor Show to form a dimensional portal of living history for the schoolchildren. This event gave the children an opportunity to learn using all their senses, the senses of touch, feel, taste, sound, and sight. Members brought in appliances and furniture from an era before electricity. Some griddles and ovens weighed up to a ton. Corn grinders, wheat grinders, apple corers, rope making machines, and many other old-time appliances were set up so that children could have an opportunity to try them out for themselves. A lot of hard work and sacrifice that was not apparent as the members smiled at the children happily answering their questions, often grinning themselves delighted with the children’s curious nature.
“The children had some amazing questions when watching the process of how farms worked and products were made,” said Richard Hunt Chairperson for the Early Engine Show and Club member. “They see the corn ground once for chicken feed, then ground again for corn meal. The kids are able to see that corn doesn’t come out of a bag in a grocery store. Someone actually has to make it.”
Hunt watched the children in awe, grinned and related a story, “One child came up and asked if he could have some corn. I looked at him and saw his cornmeal mustache. I asked him if he had already had some. He just smiled. I gave him some more. He had been eating it!”
Children went straight to safety stations after arriving on the busses. Each small group of children were accompanied by an adult as they visited each of the engine show “hosts.” Children learned that rope was made with leather, hemp, and cotton, but amazed to learn that rope had been made out of cactus too. All in all the children seemed most taken aback at a location they could all somewhat relate to, the kitchen.
“The kids can see the tools of the farm wife,” said Shirlen Dodge member of Branch 13. “We have done this so that the kids can see history, not just read about it.”
Last edited 29 March, 2005