Steam car tour makes stops in Allamakee County as part of weeklong Prairie Steamers Car Club cruise
A bit of history traveled through Allamakee County Tuesday, September 13, as the Prairie Steamers Car Club toured through Harpers Ferry and Waukon on the way to Decorah as part of a weeklong steam car cruise last week based out of Prairie du Chien, WI. Vintage vehicles from the early 1900s, such as those pictured, made a stop at the Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waterville to fill up with water in order to continue their journey. Some of the vehicles were transported in from as far away as Maine, New Hampshire, Texas and California to take part in the cruise. Standard photos by Joe Moses.
by Joe Moses
The Prairie Steamers Car Club made an appearance in Allamakee County during the group's steam car cruise that was held Monday, September 12 through Friday, September 16. A total of 18 steam cars were involved in this event that traversed through Iowa and Wisconsin throughout last week.
Steam cars are a rare sight, with most companies that produced them going out of business in the late 1920s. Stanley is the most famous of the steam car manufacturers, with Stanley Steamers accounting for most of the vehicles in this year's cruise.
The Prairie Steamers stayed in Prairie du Chien, WI as the overnight hub on their daily steam car cruise through northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin last week. Nancy Roach, one of the event organizers, planned the Tuesday, September 13 cruise through Allamakee County on the way to Decorah. Roach and her husband, Mike, assisted in the planning of the event, but are also steam car owners and participants in this year's cruise.
Roach explained that steam cars were transported by trailer from Maine, New Hampshire, Texas, California, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois specifically for this steam car cruise. The five-day event officially started Monday, but Sunday was a warm-up day with a short ride near and around Prairie du Chien, WI. Monday's cruise involved traveling to three apple orchards in the area. Tuesday's cruise involved traveling through Harpers Ferry to the Old East Paint Creek Church near Waterville for a water refill and break, then Waukon for a brief stop at Teddy's Auto and on to Decorah for lunch and other planned events.
Wednesday's portion of the tour involved a long cruise to Galena, IL with a stay overnight at the DeSoto House Hotel there. Roach said an actor who has portrayed General Ulysses S. Grant was scheduled to be present at the hotel to greet the participants. The Thursday cruise traveled back to Prairie du Chien, WI with a stop in Dubuque, where participants were invited to be part of the Dubuque Urban Hill Climb. Roach awarded stickers to those who completed the climb that read "I Survived the Dubuque Urban Hill Climb". There was a stop in Balltown at Breitbach's Country Dining for a meal and then back to Prairie du Chien, WI. Friday, the Prairie Steamers traveled to Boscobel, WI and back before departing the area.
Roach explained that, typically, steam cars travel 25 miles between stops for water. The smaller cars especially need the frequent stops although larger cars that have a condenser that re-uses some the cars' steam exhaust sometimes are able to travel 45 miles or more between water refills. Roach said that 35 mph is a top speed for many while other drivers shared that 55 mph is possible but 40-45 mph was a comfortable speed for this type of engine.
Water can be siphoned from a pond or other source, but tap water is preferable for use in the cars. There is a filter in the middle of the siphon Roach referred to as a "frog catcher" that prevents insects, frogs and small fish from entering into the engine from pond or river water.
To start a steam car, a pilot light must be lit, which can take some additional time, according to Roach. She said kerosene or diesel fuel is also necessary for the operation of a steam engine.
