THE FROELICH FOUNDATION'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE!
Where John Deere Tractor History Began!

Froelich, Iowa, was settled in the early 1870s at the point where the narrow gauge Iowa Eastern Railroad crossed the Old Military Trail, which ran from McGregor to Fort Atkinson. As a result of the railroad many businesses sprang up. Froelich was a village filled with activity.

Each year in Froelich, Iowa, members of the Froelich Foundation and many wonderful volunteers hold various events to give people a chance to discover and remember the great contribution that John Froelich gave to America. In 1892, John Froelich made the first gas traction engine that propelled itself backward and forward. Click here to read more about the Froelich Tractor!

John Froelich is listed in the Iowa Inventors Hall of Fame. He is credited with having invented many things: a washing machine, dish washer and dryer, a mechanical corn picker, and the mounting of a gasoline engine on his well drilling outfit. It is this invention that led him to modify the gasoline engine for a tractor for threshing. John Froelich also invented the first air conditioner, which went on to become the Carrier Air Conditioning Company. This is much history here in Froelich, Iowa, just waiting for you to explore it! From Memorial Day to our "Fall-der-all," you are invited to reminisce with friends and neighbors, as well as, discover the rich history here in the Froelich Village. There is always something different to see here, from the informative video presentations, narrative tour guides, reading material, to the lifelong foundation members, there is plenty of information to help you relive the rich history that survives to this day in Froelich, Iowa.

The Froelich Foundation, a nonprofit organization established in 1986, has set a goal of preserving the heritage of the Froelich, Iowa, village. It was once a thriving community that boasted of a depot, sawmill, blacksmith shop, a creamery, a post office (still in the general store), a hatchery, stockyards, ice house, barber shop, shipping warehouse and church.

Click here to find out how you can help preserve this wonderful American historical area.

Get the Froelich Foundation Newsletter Here! (.pdf file, 105kb)

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