One of those machines is this small cultivator. It was likely designed to be pulled by a horse, mule or ox, with the operator bringing up the rear, trying his best to hit the weeds and miss the crop. With seven narrow shovels, this could have been used to cultivate between widely spaced crop rows or even for general weed control. Inventive farmers would use it to soften hard ground before hand working, carefully digging root crops, opening furrows for small-seed crops - there were a great many uses for these implements.
Near the south end of town at Callahan Creek, the museum is housed in Troy's one time Great Northern Railway depot. Among other things, one will find a rock drill, this walk behind, horse drawn cultivator, a single bottom walk behind plough, an old Farmall tractor, a Great Northern caboose and other artefacts scattered about. The building itself was moved onto the museum property some time after it ceased to be used as a railway depot by the Great Northern.
Arrayed around the building are several historical markers, giving the visitor a glimpse into a bit of the history of Troy and of the fauna of the area.
Unfortunately, when we visited the museum was not yet open, so we can't tell you of the marvels within the old depot. That will have to wait until another day.
Troy Museum
The Troy Museum and Visitors’ Center, conveniently located on Highway 2 as you enter Troy from the east, is a volunteer-run attraction featuring all Troy-related historical items. It is also home to the FOLF (frisbee golf) course, public restrooms, public posting area, picnic tables, and parking area. The wooden sign in front of the museum was carved entirely by chain saw by Dave Clarke of Eureka, MT
From the Troy Museum