If you ever get a chance to look at an old machine, stop and take a very close look at it. What you will see is that the old machine is made of solid iron. You will not see plastic parts, thin pieces of tin or anything that will wear with often use. There are machines built in the 1800s that are still in use today. Let me tell you about one such machine that was built in the early 1800s.

The name of this machine is a Parks Hollow Chisel Machine, and it was used from 1896 to 1930 at the Algiers Manufacturing Company located in New Orleans. The company was owned by Charles and Johnny Cieutat. This machine was powered by a leather belt that turned a drive shaft and was used to drill square holes in furniture. Yes, a square hole!

Their great grandson and grandson Warren Hintz donated the machine to the Louisiana Treasures Museum. It is on now on display in the museum along with the drill bit that was used to drill the square holes. Stop by and you can see how well made machines were from days long ago. Louisiana Treasures Museum is located on Highway 22 West of Ponchatoula. For more information call 225-294-8352.

Wayne Norwood is a lieutenant with the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Department and owner and operator of the Louisiana Trreasures Museum located at 10290 Highway 22, West Pontchatoula.