1913 Baker Number 957 History
Just west of the Pioneer Seed Plant , west of Rushville, Indiana,
stands an old oak tree. This is the same tree where our 1913 Baker rested when
Everett Huber found it in 1953. There was a farm there then, owned by Luther
Caldwell. This is the same person who donated the land where the Pioneer
Engineers Club has resided since 2008.
Everett's son, Kenny, had just been married, having returned from Korea.
Kenny came home in 1952, having lost his left leg near the Iron Triangle
and earning the Purple Heart and 2 Bronze Service Stars.
Everett purchased two steam engines that day. The Baker
and a Frick. The Baker was the one that really appealed to Everett and he set
about restoring it to its original glory. Kenny was beginning a life with his
new wife and a new career as a technician for an amusement machine company and was not involved in much of the original restoration. However, as you can see by the picture on the left, Kenny enjoyed his time with his dad and the old Baker
engine.
stands an old oak tree. This is the same tree where our 1913 Baker rested when
Everett Huber found it in 1953. There was a farm there then, owned by Luther
Caldwell. This is the same person who donated the land where the Pioneer
Engineers Club has resided since 2008.
Everett's son, Kenny, had just been married, having returned from Korea.
Kenny came home in 1952, having lost his left leg near the Iron Triangle
and earning the Purple Heart and 2 Bronze Service Stars.
Everett purchased two steam engines that day. The Baker
and a Frick. The Baker was the one that really appealed to Everett and he set
about restoring it to its original glory. Kenny was beginning a life with his
new wife and a new career as a technician for an amusement machine company and was not involved in much of the original restoration. However, as you can see by the picture on the left, Kenny enjoyed his time with his dad and the old Baker
engine.
In 1958 the Baker was one of the featured pieces in the Brookville, Indiana Sesquicentennial. We participated in the Bicentennial again in 2008. This was one of the last events for the old Baker before it was going to need
some major love.
At the first Pioneer Engineers Show during the first parade at Caldwell Pioneer Acres, there was a slow drip coming from the bottom of the wrapper sheet. We finished the parade that day and drained the boiler. That was the last time Kenny saw smoke coming from the stack. Sadly, Kenny was called
home to the Lord on October 6th of 2010.
The engines boiler repair is current finishing. The boiler repair was done at Jonas Stutzman’s shop in Middlefield, OH. It will sports a new wrapper sheet, firebox, flues and tube rivets. Michael & Christopher Huber endeavored to complete the restoration process.
In just 58 years, since it was found next to US 52 West of Rushville, The 1913 Baker has inspired 4 generations of steam engineers. This is its legacy, We are its caretakers, and this is our latest restoration story………
some major love.
At the first Pioneer Engineers Show during the first parade at Caldwell Pioneer Acres, there was a slow drip coming from the bottom of the wrapper sheet. We finished the parade that day and drained the boiler. That was the last time Kenny saw smoke coming from the stack. Sadly, Kenny was called
home to the Lord on October 6th of 2010.
The engines boiler repair is current finishing. The boiler repair was done at Jonas Stutzman’s shop in Middlefield, OH. It will sports a new wrapper sheet, firebox, flues and tube rivets. Michael & Christopher Huber endeavored to complete the restoration process.
In just 58 years, since it was found next to US 52 West of Rushville, The 1913 Baker has inspired 4 generations of steam engineers. This is its legacy, We are its caretakers, and this is our latest restoration story………