About Us

On November 25, 1972, the first Antique Power Club of Clinton County meeting was organized at the Warren Murphy residence. The five founding members filled the officer positions...

President: Warren Murphy

Vice President: Maynard Harris

Secretary/Treasurer: Robert Olinger

Press Agent: Donald Haines

Oiler: Ralph Eltzroth

After positions were selected a membership committee was formed. All new members had to be voted on by unanimous secret ballot. Then, the requirements for membership were:

1. Must have a major piece of machinery equipment, engine, or tractor

2. Be residents of Clinton County

All member meetings were held at members’ homes with a carry-in dinner or wiener roast. At some meetings, they drew numbers corresponding to different small engines and had to get the selected engines started before they could eat.

The club had a July 4th tractor parade on Maynard Harris's farm along Interstate 71 with a picnic dinner and fun afterward. This became an annual event for many years. In June of 1973, the club was asked to display at the Clinton County Historical Society and at the opening of the new Historical Society Building in September of the same year. They displayed multiple small engines.

In September 1974, the Antique Power Club and the Clinton County Historical Society had their first show at the Clinton County Fair Grounds. They demonstrated threshing, shredding, and sorghum making. There was a display of small engines and they had a parade on the Fair Grounds campus.

During the year 1976, the club participated in many bi-centennial parades throughout Clinton County. The largest parade was in Wilmington on July 3rd. The 1976 annual show of the Clinton County Historical Society and the Antique Power Club was held on Sept. 11th and 12th. For this show, there were: 9 antique cars, 1 antique truck, 50 tractors, 6 steam engines, 2 oil pulls, 54 single-cylinder engines, 5 walk-behind garden tractors, 1 team of horses with box bed wagon, and 1 horse-drawn fire engine – The Clinton Fire Chief.

On March 10, 1977, the Antique Power Club began proceeding for incorporation, with the help of Judge Joseph D. Martin of Brown County. On April 5, 1977, the Secretary of State, Ted W. Brown, signed the Articles of Incorporation. The club officially became The Antique Power Club of Clinton County, Inc., and received a tax identification number. The official purpose of the club is “the acquisition, restoration, showing and operation of antique machinery. To relive, for several exciting days of yesteryears progress. To acquire, exchange, and accomplish this said purpose”. It was noted, the proper apparel to be worn by club members during parades and shows were bib overalls, chambray shirts, and straw hats.

The January 1978 meeting of the Antique Power Club of Clinton County, Inc. and the Clinton County Historical Society was when it was decided that the annual show would be called the Clinton County Corn Festival. It was held Sept 23rd, 24th of that year. 1978 it was decided that it was time to have something for everyone: Flea Market, Antiques, more Concessions, Adult Games, and Demonstrations. The Ladies of the Antique Power Club would contact and invite desirable flea market exhibitors and the club would be responsible for exhibitor buttons and plaques. It was decided not to permit any “for sale” signs on any tractor, engine, or machinery. 1978 was the year the Christmas party was not held in someone’s home. It was held at the Buckeye Lodge.

1979 was the first year the Antique Power Club charged membership dues. They were $2.

In August 1980, the club members found and purchased the stone crusher to have and use at the Corn Festival.

On September 18, 1984, the Melvin Stone Co. loaned the big 200 HP Fairbanks Morse Engine to the Antique Power Club of Clinton County, Inc. for its use during the life of the Club. If disbandment occurs, the engine reverts to the Beam Family. The Beam Family moved the big engine to the Fair Grounds in August 1985. The building was constructed in the summer of 1986. The engine was run for the first time at the 1987 Corn Festival.

In November of 1990, the Luttrell family donated their Saw Mill to the Antique Power Club to be erected on the Fair Grounds for use and display for the Corn Festival. It took many years to prepare the site, construct the building, and set up the Saw Mill. The first log was sawed in 1999.

This is a parcel of the history of what is known as the Antique Power Club of Clinton County, Inc.

Vintage photos courtesy of the Clinton County History Center - Thank you!!