Old Nancy

Who is "Old Nancy"?

'Old Nancy' is a 1905 Case steam traction engine which has hosts of admirers on the campus of Auburn University in Alabama.

Her story is rather remarkable for an engine that started working 76 years ago, was retired, and then became a beloved fixture in the life of an institution of higher learning.

She is Case engine #15035, rated at 12 HP, an 8 x 10' cylinder simple traction engine that has been completely restored by Auburn engineering students. She gets deluxe treatment that makes Auburn seem like 'engine heaven'.
'Old Nancy' was purchased by J. W. Dupree in 1906 for use in his sawmill in Lee County, Alabama. Dupree had seen a Case on display at the St. Louis Exposition in 1905 and felt it would make a good stationary power source. The engine arrived in Opelika by train and was driven to the Dupree home, south of Beauregard.

She got her name fast. Dupree named her in honor of the steam railway locomotive, 'Nancy Hanks' which operated on the line between Atlanta and Columbus, GA.

She served two generations, providing power for the sawmill. In 1954, the engine was driven in the Opelika Centennial parade. On July 4 in 1956 and 1957, 'Nancy' was operated as part of the Independence Day celebrations.

This is a reprint from the January/February 1983 "Farm Collectors Magazine"


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Letter from Dr. Rochester to A.C. Whatley & Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Parker

Letter from Dr. Rochester to R.C. Whatley & Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Parker

Agreement between the School of Agriculture of Auburn University and the owners

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Family Letters to Dr. Eugene Rochester

Professor from the Agriculture Engineering Department that headed up the restoration of Old Nancy

Letter From J. Arthur Whatley March 16, 1974

March 16th 1974 2nd Paragraph

October 4th, 1976 Letter from J. Authur Whatley

J. Aurther Whatley October 4th 1976

March 14, 1977 Letter from J. Arthur Whatley

March 14th JAW 2nd Paragraph

October 13, 1977 Letter from J. Arthur Whatley

Oct 13 1977 J Authur Whatley 2nd Paragraph

December 8, 1977 Letter from J. Arthur Whatley

Dec 8th 1977 JAW 1st paragraph

February 12, 1978 Letter from Lillie B. Gowder

Feb 12 Lillie B Gowder 1st Paragraph

February 15, 1978 Letter from J. Arthur Whatley

Feb 15 JAW 1st Paragraph

March 24, 1978 Letter from J. Arthur Whatley

March 24th JAW Last Two Paragraphs and Signature

May 5, 1978 Letter from J. Arthur Whatley

May 5th JAW whole letter

August 25, 1978 Letter from J. Arthur Whatley

August 25th JAW Date, greeting, and 1st paragraph
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Auburn has moved "Old Nancy" from the main campus to the E.V. Smith Research Center in Shorter, Alabama.

 

Update on “Old Nancy"

July 7, 2020
Auburn University has delivered “Old Nancy” back to
Lee County. She is presently located on private property
in Opelika. We are in the process of accepting donations to build a
permanent home in the Museum of East Alabama on
9th Street and Avenue A.

Our plans are to start construction before the end of
this year.

 
 

New Real-Time Audio Of Old Nancy Arriving In Opelika

 

This is an interview by Oleta Parker with Lillie Sasser and Jimmie Whatleytalking about “Old Nancy” arriving by train in Opelika, Alabama.  Oleta is Jimmie’s daughter and Jimmie and Lillie are sisters and daughters of J W Dupree. This took place in 1974 just after the family loaned “Old Nancy” to Auburn University.  Lillie Sasser was Steve’s grandmother and he called her Granny Sasser.