The Hungry Hollow Steam & Gas Engine Club is an outgrowth of a private show that was held on the Tony & Charlotte Prock farm in 1970 & 1971. Those involved felt that a more formal organization was needed to promote this historical hobby and as a result, "The Hungry Hollow Steam & Gas Engine Club" was formed.

Charter members, Tony & Charlotte Prock, George & Mary Wilson, Leslie & Agnes Nelson, Ike & Esther Opsahl and Mr. & Mrs. Mike Ehmen, held the organizational meeting in June, 1972 at the Prock home. The official club name was chosen at one of the next meetings and refers to an area north of Rice Lake, WI near Brill which was called Hungry Hollow during the depression years of the 1930's.

Hungry Hollow was organized to preserve and restore historical agricultural and mechanical equipment and related crafts of operation. Educating people about the history and demonstrating it is one of our main purposes. An annual show is put on each year for the education and enjoyment of the public. The first eight shows were held at the Prock farm in late August. Following the 1977 show, it was decided to move the show to the Barron County Fairgrounds in Rice Lake, WI for the 1978 show and to change the show date to the last weekend in June. It was at this time that members felt it would be advantageous to incorporate as a non-profit corporation in the state of Wisconsin. The next 31 shows were held at the fairgrounds which proved to be more than adequate for our purposes at that time.

In 1994 we purchased a 25-85 Nichols & Shepard Steam Engine which we are proud of. After many hours of work and lots of money, we finally have it up and running. We have had five or six of the members attend the steam school to get certified to run it.

During this time many changes took place. In 1982 a tractor pull was added which proved to be a big success. In the last few years a garden tractor pull has been added, which is very well attended. It was also decided to feature an equipment manufacturer and set them apart from the rest of the displays.

The Club had been talking about purchasing our own grounds so that we could put up permanent buildings and displays which we could not do at the fairgrounds. In June, 2004 we had the opportunity to buy an 80 acre farm west of Rice Lake. It took us two years to fix up the old farm house and demolish the out buildings. The house was then sold. After spending another two years clearing a woods, improving waterways, moving in a building, putting up a pole shed with a kitchen, getting a working blacksmith shop, building a bridge over one of the waterways, and getting a tractor pull track constructed, we were able to have our 2009 show on our own grounds. 

Friday, June 26, 2009 was the official dedication of the new grounds. An appreciation dinner was held to say thank you to all of the members and non-members,  Over the years, we have been very fortunate to receive many donations, both equipment, and material as well as monetary from very many sources which has helped us out very much. 

We have continued improvements and additions to the grounds including the covered bridge, saw mill, blacksmith shop, print shop, barn and silo.  In 2021, the Wiesner Church was moved to the grounds and now hosts our Sunday morning service.

We are in a different "hollow" now, but still "hungry." We have scrounged around the country for many things but we will always welcome any help or monetary donations. Please send donations to Hungry Hollow, P.O. Box 61, Rice Lake, WI 54868

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