Alan Crawford

I was tossing around what I should put on paper this week when I saw an article on the Wurtsboro Founder’s Day Street Fair featuring an artist who was displaying a number of steampunk items. I couldn’t make it over to the fair, but love the people and shops there. So, the next best thing? How about we actually drift back to when steam power was in use? Yup! Right here in Newburgh!

Some of you may have heard of the Coldwell Lawnmower Company, which at the end of the 1800’s and into the 1900’s was a spectacular manufacturer of complex lawnmowers and related equipment. You may also remember we discovered about three dozen photos, in the glass plate negatives we’re researching, of their actual lawnmowers and equipment.

I remembered one lawnmower which appeared to be steam powered, but I wasn’t quite sure. I needed an expert or two! The old boy network is the best and I reached out to my old (yes, we’re old) college roommates. Within a few minutes, my good friend, John, responded from Oregon. These newfangled computers sure beat the heck out of snail mail!

Not only did he verify this mower in the photo was steam powered, he sent along a link to a site where one was restored and is working! It just doesn’t get any better! I was intrigued to be able to not only see a photo of the mower, circa 1904, but also see it operated! I’ve put this site on my bucket list and hope to visit it this fall. If you’re interested, check out: roughandtumble.org.

On their page devoted to this steam powered mower, they’ve provided a detail history of the Coldwell Lawnmower Company which you’ll find interesting. If not, drift over the Newburgh History Blog which has the history and other details of the company.

Also, John sent along another link: douglas-self.com.

This site is another one which goes into detail on steam powered mowers, including this Coldwell Lawnmower model.

Personally, I enjoy learning about mechanical things and their origins. I also am grateful for good friends and others who take the time to keep our past in the present. Here’s your chance to actually see a piece of equipment running which probably was used to mow a golf course you’ve played, over 120 years ago! Not sure if you’re able to purchase one today, but perhaps it’s an alternative to gasoline and electric vehicles.