Museum Celebrates Bonanza Farms
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During the late 1800’s, the prospect of acquiring and operating rich farmland in the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota created large tracts known as Bonanza Farms. In 1954 the Cass County, N.D., Historical Society was organized to preserve that history for the ages. Over the past 70 years, Bonanzaville has grown into a popular tourist attraction on 12 dedicated acres that houses more than 400,000 educational items and numerous pieces of farm equipment and vehicles in 40 buildings.
Much of the Bonanzaville site appears as a pioneer village, with dozens of historic buildings that have been moved in and authentically reconstructed.
“Anybody with even a slight interest in the history of this region or farming in general will love Bonanzaville,” says Beth Jansen, the museum’s executive director. Asked what draws the greatest interest, she thinks it might be Engine 684, an 1883-era steam engine. Other high-interest displays include the Brass Rail Saloon and Hotel, the Houston House mansion (moved from an original Bonanza farm site) and other tractor and farm equipment displays.
Among the most famous artifacts in the museum are the first four tractors built by the Steiger Brothers in the late 1950’s. Steiger #1 was built for about $10,000 and had 200 flywheel horsepower. The second tractor, Tiger, had about half that horsepower.
These powerhouse tractors worked thousands of hours on Steiger farms and were completely restored in the mid 1970’s. Today, Steiger #1, Tiger, Cougar and #4 are still operable and make appearances each year at the Western Minnesota Steam Thresher’s Reunion, the annual Big Iron Farm Show in Fargo, and at other regional parades and events.
In 2019, Bonanzaville attracted visitors from all 50 states and a half dozen foreign countries. While the COVID pandemic reduced traffic over the past two years, Jansen anticipates high numbers again in 2022.
Along with the restored period buildings Bonanzaville has 10 modern buildings with various themed displays: Eagles Air museum, Eugene Dahl Car museum, Melroe Tractor Building, Moum Agricultural Building, and the Railroad Museum.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Bonanzaville, USA, 1351 Main Ave. W., West Fargo, N.D. 58078 (ph 701-282-2822; www.bonanzaville.org).
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Museum Celebrates Bonanza Farms TRACTORS Antiques During the late 1800’s the prospect of acquiring and operating rich farmland in the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota created large tracts known as Bonanza Farms In 1954 the Cass County N D Historical Society was organized to preserve that history for the ages Over the past 70 years Bonanzaville has grown into a popular tourist attraction on 12 dedicated acres that houses more than 400 000 educational items and numerous pieces of farm equipment and vehicles in 40 buildings Much of the Bonanzaville site appears as a pioneer village with dozens of historic buildings that have been moved in and authentically reconstructed “Anybody with even a slight interest in the history of this region or farming in general will love Bonanzaville ” says Beth Jansen the museum’s executive director Asked what draws the greatest interest she thinks it might be Engine 684 an 1883-era steam engine Other high-interest displays include the Brass Rail Saloon and Hotel the Houston House mansion moved from an original Bonanza farm site and other tractor and farm equipment displays Among the most famous artifacts in the museum are the first four tractors built by the Steiger Brothers in the late 1950’s Steiger #1 was built for about $10 000 and had 200 flywheel horsepower The second tractor Tiger had about half that horsepower These powerhouse tractors worked thousands of hours on Steiger farms and were completely restored in the mid 1970’s Today Steiger #1 Tiger Cougar and #4 are still operable and make appearances each year at the Western Minnesota Steam Thresher’s Reunion the annual Big Iron Farm Show in Fargo and at other regional parades and events In 2019 Bonanzaville attracted visitors from all 50 states and a half dozen foreign countries While the COVID pandemic reduced traffic over the past two years Jansen anticipates high numbers again in 2022 Along with the restored period buildings Bonanzaville has 10 modern buildings with various themed displays: Eagles Air museum Eugene Dahl Car museum Melroe Tractor Building Moum Agricultural Building and the Railroad Museum Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Bonanzaville USA 1351 Main Ave W West Fargo N D 58078 ph 701-282-2822; www bonanzaville org
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