Steam engine that made numerous parade appearances turns 100

The Minneapolis Steam Engine that has been a mainstay of the Fourth of July Parade in Newton for many, many years is now 100 years old.

Adorned in that unmistakable red and green color scheme, the 1923 machine is a relic of a bygone era and requires the assistance of an entire crew to operate during the parade; they often accompany the steam engine looking like old-timey engineers themselves, wearing thick gloves, overalls, bandanas and straw caps.

Bryan Healy, the steam engine’s former owner, frequently handles the steering when the machine makes its way through the parade route. He is humbled and gratified to know the steam engine is still able to participate in the parade, particularly because these machines were not built for longevity.

“In order to withstand the rigors of its own operation, it had to be built in such a way that gives it an ability to survive for a lot of years,” Healy said. “We’ve been pretty fortunate it’s been in one family’s possession for most of its existence, and it got pretty good care. Today, it’s able to be used and shown to people.”

Although the steam engine is owned and displayed by the Jasper County Historical Museum, it was originally passed down to Healy from his grandfather.

Today, the steam engine is mainly used for the parade, but it also gets to be used as an agricultural tool at Mid-Iowa Antique Power Association’s annual steam and threshing power shows. Healy credited the Jasper County Historical Museum for letting him and his crew members showcase the machine in all its glory.

Held the first full weekend in August in Marshalltown, the power show gives the steam engine a chance to do what it was made to do. Oftentimes the engine is used to power a grain separator, which Healy described as “the business end or back half of a combine.” Mainly, the steam engine helps to thresh oats at the show.

But most folks just know the steam engine for being in the Fourth of July Parade. When the steam engine makes its way through the route, Healy always knows there will be tons of kids “pulling down on the air above” their heads in an effort to make the engineers blow the surprisingly loud whistle. Many kids will jump back.

“Or some of them cover their ears,” he said. “Newton has been really enthusiastic about supporting its traditions, and the parade has been a longtime tradition. This artifact has been in my family’s possession since 1936. My grandfather bought it and he was very generous about sharing it with the community.”

The 1923 Minneapolis Steam Engine has even made appearances in Newton’s centennial parade and sesquicentennial parade.

If it is well-maintained, Healy suspects the steam engine has the ability to survive Newton’s bicentennial.

“It’ll outlive all of us,” he said.