PHOTO CALENDAR OFFERS GLIMPSES OF THE PAST

This is one of 14 historical photos featured in the Jackson Heritage Association's 1996 calendar. It is the Herman Petzoldt Sr. threshing outfit in 1896. The steam engine was self-propelled and pulled the threshing machine and the straw carrier. Mr. Petzoldt is in his buggy leading the procession. Herman Petzoldt Jr. is driving the steam engine. At the far left is a water wagon pulled by two horses.

Aga Flentge on the front porch of the Oliver House in Jackson, circa 1890. Senator and Mrs. Oliver sold the house in 1919 to Mr. and Mrs. Flentge who lived there until 1928. Notice the small porch on the side room. there was an entrance door here which gives some credence to the thinking that it may have been added as an office for Dr. Pace who was a homeopathic physician and pharmacist and lived there prior to the Olivers.

Twelve mules in front of the courthouse in 1909, an 1896 steam-powered threshing machine, a farmer making apple cider and downtown Jackson after the big snowfall of 1917 -- these and 10 more historical photos grace the Jackson Heritage Association's 1996 calendar.

"This year we went with a kind of farm slant," said Trisha Wischmann, a past president of the association. "We used more outdoor photos and less photos of homes."

The caption under the January photo reads: "This is an early 1900s gasoline farm tractor pulling a road grader on old Highway 34 southwest of Jackson. Henry R. Meier, who was commissioner of Byrd Township, is on the grader behind the two young boys. The tractor is thought to be a Rumley -- approximately 25 horse power."

The Jackson Heritage Association was formed in 1976 to promote historical preservation in the area. Three years ago members decided to produce an annual calendar as one of its fund-raising activities.

The 1996 calendar, like the previous ones, is a limited edition -- 750 numbered copies are available. Wischmann said some people like to acquire the same numbered copy each year in the hope they become collector items.

The 1993 calendar concentrated on historic photos of Jackson businesses and some downtown Jackson street scenes. Next year the calendar featured photos from around the county. The third calendar had houses, trains, railroad depots, buggies and surries.

"We always feature a different photo of the Oliver House every year," said Wischmann.

Vern Schaper, a past president of the Jackson Heritage Association, said the Oliver House was the first major restoration project the association undertook.

He said the association started gathering old photos while the Oliver House, which was built in the early 1880s in the Federal architectural style, was being renovated.

"We collected the photos from various people and some people loaned us old photos that we made copies of," Schaper said.

The association hopes to raise about $3,750 from the sale of the calendars, which sell for $5. Wischmann said calendar sales "are a major fund-raiser for us." They are sold by members and can be found in about 10 locations in Jackson.

The association has also raised money through a cruise party that included drawings for gifts from local businesses, an art auction, ice cream socials and driving tours.

There are more than 100 members of the association and the board of directors meet the first Thursday of the month, usually in the Oliver House.