1905 Allis Chalmers "Corliss" steam engine

1905 Allis Chalmers "Corliss" steam engine. . , Specifications: , Rated Horsepower 350 , Operating speed 85 r.p.m. , Bore / Stroke 18' x 42' (double acting) , Valve gear Corliss , Flywheel size 15' 3" diameter , Flywheel weight 16,400 lbs , Overall weight 45,400 lbs , Years in Service 1905 - 1959, History: , This horizontal stationary steam engine was originally built by the E.P. Allie Company in 1905. At the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair representatives of the new Bush and Lane Piano Company ordered an engine based on one of that was on display at the Fair for a new factory was being built in Holland, MI on 24th Street and Columbia. It was installed there in 1905 to be the sole power source for all of the machinery in the building., This engine was connected to a "line-shaft" cistern by a rare rope-belting system that wrapped around the gear surface of the engine's flywheel. The line-shaft system distributed the rotating power supply the the manufacturing areas of the building where a belt on a pully on this shaft transmitted the power to the individual machines. Prior to the advent of reliable electricity motors and individualized electric motors on machinery, this was the norm for the era. Many factories across the United States were powered this way during this time period., Bush and Lane ceased operations in 1929 and in 1933 this facility was purchased by Baker Furniture and they operate it today. The Engine saw service for generally 2 shifts per day until it was retired from service in 1959. In 1957, it was removed from the factory and displayed near the Baker Furniture Museum, now the site of Freedom Village. When construction began on Freedom Village, the engine was removed and donated to the City of Holland and put into storage. It was restored during the summer of 2003 by a group of volunteers and was put on stable base. Preserved for industrial heritage.