BROOKINGS, S.D. – For an antique farm collector, the Agricultural Heritage Museum in Brookings is a treasure trove. Connected with the South Dakota State University, the museum offers over 3,500 pieces of agricultural and mechanical tools and equipment, 1,500 artifacts, 8,300 documents, and more than 100,000 photographs. There is something for everyone. Keep in mind that not all these agricultural gems are on display at one time.

Visitors have a chance to see a replica of a 1915 farmhouse and learn about windmill power, and how electricity changed life on the farm.

The rarest item in the museum may be the Dakota tractor that they believe is the only one in existence. Built by G.W. Elliott & Co., of De Smet, the 1913 Dakota Tractor was donated by Bob Kunitz, of Aberdeen, S.D. The Kunitz Brothers bought the tractor 1914 and used it on their farm near Groton, S.D.

George Washington Elliott was a minister of the Church of Christ I, Brookline, S.D., and an inventor. Built in his barn, the tractor was a 4-cylinder, 22 horsepower machine that was difficult to drive, which made work in the field hard. This idea is confirmed by the placard at the museum which states, about Bob Kuntz that donated the tractor, “Bob wasn’t old enough to remember the tractor when it was operational but recalls his father saying because of the single wide rear wheel, it was hard to turn around at the end of the field.”

According to an article in the Marshall County Journal, about 20 tractors were built. Reports that the company was sold for back taxes indicate it disappeared from the horizon, and Rev. Elliott went on to new congregations.

Another great piece is the Farm Horse Tractor on display that was manufactured in Hartford, S.D. Only three were built in 1921. A placard shares that the engine is unknown. “Three-wheels with a high, wide front axle. What appears to be a mounting bracket on the front axle may have been intended for a cultivator….”

There is a very cool picture of the Farm Horse Tractor as well with the words, “Simple and easy to operate” written on the photograph.

One of the most riveting pieces of equipment is the impressive 65 HP 1911 J.I Case Steam engine, serial no. 33043. Although not the largest of the Case Steam engines, which registered 150 HP, it was twice as powerful as the smallest at 30 HP.

It was quite a job getting the engine into the museum, and our guide indicated that it is there to stay. Farmers came to the area after the Homestead Act of 1862 opened the area for farming and ranching. The steam engine was used to break up sod, along with a plow to do the job, the prairie grass was worked into the soil, and it was made plantable and fertile. Once that job was done, the engine proved to be a great power source for threshing machines and more.

On their website, they share the story of their engine that spent its working life in Watertown, S.D. “It featured optional equipment purchased with the original engine including contractor’s fuel bunker and a fully-jacketed (northern) boiler.”

Owned by Otto Korth, he used the engine for threshing, and the engine came to the museum in February 1983. The engine was restored between October 1982 and June 1983.

Near the Case steam engine is a wooden Overby corn harvester that was pulled by 4-6 horses to operate.

There is a lot to see and do at this museum that celebrates the world of agriculture. Open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and closed on Sundays from January through March.