1919 60hp Chicago Pneumatic Semi-Diesel Engine

The 1919 "Chicago" engine would have sold new for $3,500 (equal to $61,280 in 2023).  This engine came from the Lake Charles, LA area where it powered an irrigation pump, flooding rice fields.  Research  shows that this engine ran for a solid month every year, without being turned off, until 1938.  Prospecting engineers were drilling for oil in 1938 and accidentally collapsed the water well. The 1919 Chicago was replaced by an electric motor when the new well was dug.

This engine sat unused for 63 years until being restored by Cedar Valley Memories volunteers and was fired up for the 2001 Cedar Valley Memories Annual Power Show.