Have you ever wondered who invented the gas tractor? If you’re from Iowa, the odds are you’re familiar with the famous John Deere Corporation which took the invention mainstream – but they had to get their prototype from somewhere. That source would be John Froelich, an Iowa farmer and inventor who was tired of the problems associated with steam-powered plow machines. He knew there had to be a better way – and in 1892 he hit on the invention that would change the world. His small village in McGregor has now been recreated in a historic museum in Iowa, so visitors can explore the way this famous son of Iowa lived, and discover the world that led him to change farming forever.

A tiny village within McGregor, Iowa will take you all the way back to 1892 for one of the state's most historic inventions.
Froelich Foundation/Facebook
When John Froelich created the engine for what would be the first gas-powered tractor in 1892, it changed the face of farming - and a prototype is on display at a small museum.
Froelich Foundation/Facebook
You can visit the old general store that Froelich ran, recreated with all the goods that would have been on the shelf then.
Froelich Foundation/Facebook
His partner, Will Mann, was a blacksmith, and you can tour the forge he would have worked in.
Froelich Tractor Museum

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There's even a recreation of an old one-room schoolhouse - and yes, that is a dunce cap in the front! Times have changed a lot.
Froelich Tractor Museum
Today, the only kids you'll see are the many schoolchildren who come to this quaint village for tours of the museum and grounds.
Froelich Foundation/Facebook
In recent years, the Froelich Foundation has even recreated the old train depot that used to operate in this farming hub.
Froelich Tractor Museum
The tractor has changed a lot since John Froelich's day, but it's likely none of it would have been possible without this one determined son of Iowa who knew there was a better way to plow the fields!
Froelich Foundation/Facebook

Have you been to this historic museum in Iowa? Let us know about your trip to the Froelich Tractor Museum in the comments section. If you’re interested in a visit, you can drop by the website and Facebook page to learn everything you need to know before you go. And if you want to visit the site of another famous Iowa invention, check out the story behind the trampoline.

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Featured Addresses
Froelich Museum, 24397 Froelich Rd, McGregor, IA 52157, USA