Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

July 18, 2007, Page 2

Transcribed by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon.

History takes hold in the park

A 1919 Case steam engine has been turning more than a few heads lately in its new location just inside the main gate to Schuster Park in Neillsville. Once used for threshing grain and powering a saw mill, it reflects the community’s rich logging and farming traditions.  The steam engine was donated to the city of Neillsville by the Martin “Max” Feuerstein family in 2002, at first being exhibited out in the open on the grounds of Central Wisconsin Broadcasting.  The realization was soon reached that more shade and shelter was needed to preserve the engine’s painted metal surfaces. The decision was then made to move it to a more protected area in a city park, a surrounding deemed ultimately appropriate given that Feuerstein lived in the city and served for a time as a city alderman.  The Listeman Foundation provided the $13,000 for the cost of the roofed shelter structure, built with materials from Sav-Rite Building Center. The cement slab was poured by Brorson Construction and the carpentry work was done by Erickson Construction.