It Happened in Crawford County: Follow farm machinery history through the decades

Mike McCracken and Earl Smith both have fond memories of growing up on family farms.

McCracken, who is the president of the Crawford Antique Farm Machinery Association , lived on Lemert Road northwest of Sulphur Springs, along with his parents Roger and Eloise McCracken. He grew up baling hay for Kenny Auck in New Washington until he moved to Callicoon, New York, for a short time where he milked 130 cows by machine.

Smith, a past president of the Crawford Antique Farm Machinery Association , grew up on Quaker Road. He said his parents, Warren and Martha Smith, taught him how to do good work. He also spent a lot of time as a fertilizer salesman.

Crawford Antique Farm Machinery Association dates back 40 years

The tractor club had its beginning in 1984 as an informal organization with a meeting at the courthouse. Basically, it was a tractor pulling club with interest in the preservation of agricultural equipment and the history of farming. Club members would have tractor pulls during the summer and restore an old tractor in the winter to raffle to fund the tractor pulling. They also displayed tractors and equipment at the Crawford County Fair − a practice they do to this day.

In 1992, it became a formal club, continuing with tractor pulls, but putting more emphasis in preserving the machinery. The idea of an agriculture museum was being discussed. In June 2001, under the direction of President Mike Snyder, the first Crawford County Farm Show was held at the fairgrounds, with Allis Chalmers having the honor of being the first featured tractor.

Freelance writer Fred Hendricks of Mansfield, a member of the group who later moved away, published a story in the Farm Collector, September 2022, Volume 25, Issue 2. He said Mike Hoffman, vo-ag teacher and FFA adviser at Wynford, headed formation of the museum.

“During the spring of 2003, several Wynford FFA students expressed an interest in creating a museum to display agricultural artifacts that would benefit the entire community,” he said. “The museum would also help educate visitors about food production.”

It soon became apparent the project was too ambitious for Wynford FFA, so the museum idea was presented to the Crawford Antique Farm Machinery Association.

Club warms to idea of backing a tractor museum

“As the club warmed to the idea, the project became a joint effort and plans were made to establish a facility at the Crawford County Fairgrounds," Hendricks said.

Pictured in Hendrick’s article were Mike McCracken, Mike Hoffman, Roger Haas and Mike Snyder, organizing member and first president of the Crawford Antique Farm Machinery Assn. Snyder died July 10. Hendrick’s noted in his article the building is 136 feet by 60 feet and FFA members were involved throughout the process, helping draft the grant application for the museum, holding fundraisers and providing labor.

They started building it in 2006 and it was dedicated on June 16, 2007, at the seventh annual Crawford Farm Show at the fairgrounds. Hendrick’s article details stories and pictures about some of the equipment displayed in the museum from Cobey Manufacturing Company, Adam Shunk Plow Company and local manufacturers.

Mike McCracken and Earl Smith said the community and businesses donated toward the building. It was a labor of love by so many people. It is one of few clubs that have a farm museum. Donna Bauer from the Tourism and Visitors Bureau some years ago was helpful to bring attention to the museum and the equipment stored there.

Plans for the future

Smith said the group is anxious to preserve the history of farm equipment for the next generations and to educate others about how the old machinery was used. Most of the equipment has been donated. He said they would like to see an addition to the building since the building is getting pretty full.

The Crawford Farm Machinery Show takes place every June at the fairgrounds. Members print a sizeable booklet filled with sponsors wishing to promote the event. McCracken said the show happens because of the wonderful volunteers for the fundraisers − the biggest being ice cream sales, a pork chop dinner and the successful Purse Bingo games held during the show. It fills up early and brings in the most money.

There is a highlight event each night, including the tractor pull. A tractor brand is featured. It’s great for collectors of different kinds and models and just fun for the average person.

Smith said club members are getting old, and new members are appreciated. They welcome visitors on the first Thursday of the month, held at the museum weather permitting. Otherwise they meet at the Engineer’s Office across from the fairgrounds.

For more information contact McCracken at 419 689 0667.

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This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: It Happened in Crawford County: Follow farm machinery history through the decades