County residents are invited to check out working pieces of
farming history this weekend, as the San Benito County Historical
Society Branch Three Early Days celebrates antique gas engines and
tractors.
County residents are invited to check out working pieces of farming history this weekend, as the San Benito County Historical Society Branch Three Early Days celebrates antique gas engines and tractors.
The Historical Park opened its gates today at 8 a.m. and welcomed tractor enthusiasts from all over the bay area. Restoration enthusiast Peter Sonne said the society is expecting tractors and engines from 70, 80 and even 90 years ago.
“It gives the public insight about the past using tangible pieces of history,” he said.
Exhibitor Frank Orlando brought his 1935 John Deer Model AR and a 1950 Allis Chalmers WD to the show. His fascination with tractors began when he was a little boy learning how to drive them in rural Wisconsin.
“I remember watching my now father-in-law drive the tractor through the fields,” he said. “We’re trying to preserve this old equipment to pass it on so that others can know about it. It’s part of history.”
On Saturday, there will be a tri-tip lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. and residents are encouraged to bring the entire family to see these agricultural artifacts. Along with Orlando’s tractors, Sonne said there will be a variety of others, including circa 20s and 30s John Deer’s and Caterpillars as well as a 1916 engine with one and a half horse power.
“Farmers use to bring the engines in at night upon their wives request and the women would use the engine for a makeshift washing machine,” Sonne said.
Frank Busch of Morgan Hill made the trip to Tres Pinos and brought three of his John Deere two-cylinder crawlers. He’s a self acclaimed restoration guru and said when he got tired of restoring cars, the natural move was on to tractors.
“They bring back a lot of good childhood memories,” he said. “I’ve done cars. Been there, done that. Now it’s time for tractors.”
The engine and tractor show will run through Sunday. For more information call 375-5928.
Christine Tognetti can be reached at 637-5566, ext. 330 or at [email protected].
