St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Spreading the Wealth Since 1900
The Modern Solution for the original “Dirty Job”!
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, December 10, 2014
1. Spreading the Wealth Since 1900 Marker
You think your job is tough?
Try being a manure spreader in the 1800s.
Imagine the relief for farmers when the first practical manure spreader was introduced to the farm in 1900. It was developed and patented by Joseph Oppenheim, a schoolmaster who was concerned about how much time his young students were forced to work in the fields. In 1800, he developed a system of paddle distribution (from watching a paddleball game his students were playing) to increase the distribution spread, thus eliminating the need for workers to do this manually. This was the innovation that made the device effective. He began to manufacture his “new idea” in 1900, and the manure spreader quickly became an essential addition to the roster of new labor-saving agricultural tools.
The horse-drawn manure spreader you see here dates from the 1930s.
It was made of long leaf yellow pine, which was resistant to the acid in the manure, and boasted the shortest turning radius of any spreader on the market. A brake attachment, end gate, and lime-throwing attachment were available as optional equipment.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Chain Gangs (within shouting distance of this marker); Walk to Freedom (within shouting distance of this marker); The 1870 Hildreth House (within shouting distance of this marker); Viva Cuba! (within shouting distance of this marker); Up in Smoke (within shouting distance of this marker); Arriving in Style (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old St. Johns County Jail (within shouting distance of this marker); On With The Show (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.
Also see . . . Joseph Oppenheim.
Joseph Oppenheim (March 1, 1859 – November 24, 1901) was an educator who invented the modern widespread manure spreader that made farming less labor-intensive and far more efficient in the early 20th century. He is honored for that invention in the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame in Columbus, Ohio. (Submitted on December 11, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, December 10, 2014
2. Spreading the Wealth Since 1900 Marker (inset detail)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, December 10, 2014
3. Spreading the Wealth Since 1900 Marker (detail)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, December 10, 2014
4. Oldest Store Museum (behind spreader)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, December 10, 2014
5. Spreading the Wealth Since 1900 Marker and Manure Spreader
The marker is nearly horizontal, resting upon a wooden base designed to look like shipping crates.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, December 10, 2014
6. Oliver Superior Manure Spreader c. 1930
The marker and manure spreader are located directly in front of St. Augustine's Oldest Store Museum.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 11, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 568 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 11, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
