Annual Menno Pioneer Power Show
September 21 & 22, 2024
Pioneer Acres Historic Exhibits
Pioneer Acres features over 12 historic buildings of which can be viewed on July 4th. Living history exhibits and buildings can be viewed during the annual Menno Pioneer Power Show. A walking tour is also be available to visitors by appointment only.
Visit the following Upcoming Events and Power Show links to learn more.
Unity Church ~ 1923
This church was located 14 miles Northwest of Menno and built in 1923 for $6,622.48 (materials and furnishings). The interior has a unique arched tin ceiling and the woodwork and furnishings are made of oak. It seats about 180, with room for 40 more in the balcony. The bell weighs 820 pounds, made of ingot copper and imported India tin, and tuned to G sharp. The last worship service was June 1997. The church then donated by the remaining 45-member congregation to Pioneer Acres.
Mensch Carousel ~ Circa 1945
This 1940's "Wizard of Oz" themed 18-horse carousel was part of a traveling carnival. It was purchased and restored by the Mensch Family and reopened as a permanent ride at Pioneer Acres in 2020. The carousel could be rented for birthday parties or in combination with renting the barn or church.
The Big Red Barn ~ 1920 ca.
The construction date of the barn is circa 1920s. There were pens on both sides of the barn first floor and the door on the south side is original. After Menno Pioneer Heritage Association acquired the land and barn in 1995, they renovated the interior to include a staircase on the east and west ends. The manger on the north side of the first floor is original. The second floor north door is original but made larger to accommodate an ADA ramp.
Holm Building ~ 2024
The Don Holm Building dedicated to the memory of Hans and Ester Holm of Tabor, SD. The building contains 6 John Deere tractors that were part of the Don Holm estate and an 1958 Chevrolet Impala Bel Air.
Hutchinson County Jail ~ 1879
The Hutchinson County Jail, built in Olivet in 1879, had 4 cells each with two bunks, seven windows, and office area with a stove and jailer’s quarters with a bed and night stand, and an outside storage area. The door faced to the south, with entrance off o Highway 18, which was just a dirt path at the time. In 2002, when it was donated by the Brattons to the Menno Pioneer Heritage Association and moved to Pioneer Acres.
Carter Log Cabin ~ 1882
Christ and Olava Carter were married on July 5, 1882, and a few months later began building this 16’ X 15’ log cabin. Mr. Carter cut the logs from nearby cottonwood trees and chiseled out the joints at the corner for a snug dovetailed fit. As each log was placed a hole was drilled vertically a few feet from the corner and wooden peg placed through the hole. The outside was then plastered with four to six inches of claylike plaster, still evident in the spaces between the logs. The majority of the clay was removed earlier so it would not be so heavy to move.
Menno Schoolhouse ~ 1884
Menno constructed this building in 1884. It was chosen by General W.H.H. Beadle to host the first teachers institute in Hutchinson County as it was the largest one in the district to host the week-long event. By September 1899, attendance outgrew the space and a new school was built. In August of 1945, ownership of this building and the Peace Lutheran Church was transferred to the Immanuel Lutheran Church. For the last 57 years this school house was used for Sunday School classes, a meeting room, and social hall for the congregation.
Sawmill ~
Purchased on an farm auction sale by MPHA near a town called Klondike, SD where the sawmill set up along the Big Sioux River. After steam building was built the sawmill building was added. It was restored to function in demonstrations. Blade size is 54” in diameter. It is capable of cutting a 24” cut. The sawmill building also features an edger that was purchased in the Black Hills and was restored to full function.
Corliss Steam Building ~ 1907
This 1907, corliss steam engine was originally used to power the town of Walnut, Iowa. It was purchased in pieces and restored the David Mensch family and reinstalled as a permanent display at the Menno Pioneer Power Show in 2004. The flywheel of the engine is 12 feet in diameter and weights about 40,000 lbs.
Utica Train Depot ~ 1886
This depot comes from Utica, South Dakota. It was donated to Pioneer Acres by the Clem Fejfar family in July 1997. This depot was owned by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad and built in 1886. The last passenger train to stop in Utica was 1956. Yes, this depot was originally painted orange and burgundy in 1886 by the railroad when it was built.
Walz School District #87 ~ 1904
The schoolhouse, known as Walz School District #87, sat 6 miles north and one mile east of Menno. Built in 1904, for the cost of $243.00, and could hold 26 pupils. After closing in 1964, Oscar and Hazel Carter purchased the school house moved it to their farm east of Menno. All the school desks, books, maps, lunch pails, and other school memorabilia were all collected by Oscar and Hazel Carter. The schoolhouse was not originally red, but white but the Carter family restored it in red and asked it remain that color. The playground equipment was donated to the grounds by the James Cwach family of Yankton.
Harness Shop ~ Circa 1920s
Also known as the Women’s Building, this historic Olivet Store building was moved to the Pioneer Acres during the Fall of 1999. Flooring from the demolished three story Menno School building was removed, cleaned, and used as the new tongue and groove wooden flooring and glass windows for the Olivet Store building.
Olivet Post Office ~
The original post office of Olivet. This building was donated to Pioneer Acres by the South Dakota Germans from Russia organization for their archives.
Menno's Oldest Home ~ 1880s
Clarence Simonson wedding house, he was the mayor of Menno at one time. No running water ever. Was located on Main Street (west of the school gymnasium).
Farm Emporium Building
Farm collectibles of Charlie, LaVonne, and Donna Zeeb representing the pioneer spirit and features a demonstration Hart Parr display belonging to Gordon Mettler.
IHC Implement Building ~
This storefront building, most recently used as a salt shed for Anderson farm Store in Menno, was moved to Pioneer Acres on Wednesday, July 26, 2000. John F. Handel erected this two-story building in 1910. He constructed a wine cellar and dealt in California wine. The wine warehouse business was replaced on 1918 by F.A. Handel and Company, who had an automobile dealership. Ed C. Mettler purchased the building in 1919, for an unknown business. From 1941-1946, Hoyer Anderson owned the building and used it as a produce and farm store. In 1950, Anderson expanded to another building and used this building as a salt storage shed. In 1996, Farmers Union Co-op Oil Company of Menno donated it to Pioneer Acres.
Worthington Diesel Building ~ 1940s
5 cylinder diesel engine. Weighs about 40,000 lbs. This was the oldest of the three electric generators used to power Wessington Springs, SD. It is unique in it starts with compressed air.
Flour Mill - 1880 ca.
Stone flour mill donated to Pioneer Acres by a private collector. It was purchased from a museum in Oacoma, SD. It is set up to be run by a small gas motor. Don Hopf family operates the mill during the Power Show and sells the stone-ground wheat produced by the mill.
Warren Truss Bridge ~
The Warren Truss Bridge that crosses over Dunn Creek was manufactured in 1912 and is listed with the National Register of Historic Places. It is believed to be the oldest steel bridge. Charles Mix county donated the bridge in order to preserve the historic status of the bridge. The bridge was located 6 miles North, and ¾ west of Wagner, crossing Choteau Creek. It was moved here by the Department of Transportation in August 1997.
Granary Building- 1950 ca.
Building came from 1 mile north and ¼ west of Menno. The government had a lot located there of 50 buildings for the purpose of granary storage. There were varying sizes. They were produced after World War II but when the government decided to get out of the granary business by the 1960s and the building were purchased by located farmers and moved them to their farms. This granary was originally located on this farm where the carousel house is now located.
Corn Crib - Circa 1930
This corn crib was discovered in great condition on a nearby farm and it was moved to Pioneer Acres to help with the corn shelling demonstrations.