Bucyrus Museum operated by South Milwaukee Industrial Museum

Bucyrus Museum operated by South Milwaukee Industrial Museum The Bucyrus Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the Bucyrus company.

Step back into circa 1930s with a look at one of the coolest optical pocket toys in our collection: The Mov-I-Graff! 🎰🎨K...
05/28/2026

Step back into circa 1930s with a look at one of the coolest optical pocket toys in our collection: The Mov-I-Graff! 🎰🎨

Known as "The Man of a Thousand Faces," this clever paper novelty was patented by the Lakewood Products Co. of Cleveland, Ohio. It features a cartoon face, but with a unique twist: the nose and mouth are made from a tiny, fine-linked metal chain! ⛓️🧐

By simply holding the card flat and tapping or vibrating it, the chain wiggles randomly to create countless funny, ever-changing expressions. Because they were so portable, businesses - such as the Bucyrus Company and the Marion Power Shovel Company customized them as promotional giveaways.

Check out the photos below to see how a simple chain could create endless entertainment long before smartphones! 📱✨

Come see them for yourself! The Bucyrus Museum is located at 1919 12th Avenue in South Milwaukee. Our hours are 10am-3pm Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

We love seeing Bucyrus history continue to inspire new generations - even through music. 🎶A new song titled “Iron Giant”...
05/14/2026

We love seeing Bucyrus history continue to inspire new generations - even through music. 🎶

A new song titled “Iron Giant” by Jon Spear Music was released on April 24, 2026, inspired by the story of an Oklahoma ancestor who was listed on an old census form as a “steam shovel engineer.” That simple discovery led to a deep dive into the history of Bucyrus steam shovels and the enormous role these machines played in shaping America.

From digging the Panama Canal to building highways like Route 66 and countless other projects across the country, Bucyrus machines - and the people who operated them - helped move mountains, literally.

The artist, Jon Spear shared that the colorful stories and rich history behind these machines became the inspiration for the song. Even more impressive, he performed nearly all of the instruments himself, with Nashville session musicians contributing the mandolin and fiddle parts.

It’s always exciting to see the legacy of Bucyrus living on in unexpected ways. Be sure to check out “Iron Giant,” now available on major streaming platforms and YouTube worldwide! ⚙️🚂🎵

You can also listen to Iron Giant by clicking the link in the first comment below.

These photos are some of the Bucyrus machines referenced in "Iron Giant"

We’ve reached 2,450 followers - thank you to everyone who’s joined us! 🎉To celebrate, we’re spotlighting the Bucyrus-Eri...
05/07/2026

We’ve reached 2,450 followers - thank you to everyone who’s joined us! 🎉

To celebrate, we’re spotlighting the Bucyrus-Erie 2450-R Over-the-Road Rotary Blast Hole Drill.

The Bucyrus-Erie 2450-R was introduced in the late 1970s as a high-performance rotary blast hole drill for the mining and quarry industries. While it shared the modular design heritage of the 2400-R series used in water well drilling, the 2450-R was purpose-built as a rotary drill for overburden applications or as a hammer drill for tough rock pe*******on in quarries.

Come visit us at the Bucyrus Museum, 1919 12th Avenue in South Milwaukee! We’re open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10 AM–3 PM.

We’ve reached 2,400 followers - thank you to everyone who’s joined us! 🎉To celebrate, we’re spotlighting the Bucyrus-Eri...
04/28/2026

We’ve reached 2,400 followers - thank you to everyone who’s joined us! 🎉

To celebrate, we’re spotlighting the Bucyrus-Erie 2400-R Rotary Water Well Drill.

Developed in late 1974, the 2400-R featured a modular design that made it incredibly versatile. Its machinery deck allowed for a wide range of component combinations without costly modifications, making it adaptable to all kinds of drilling conditions. In fact, up to 30 different configurations were possible thanks to its strong, durable deck and frame - everything needed for efficient and flexible operation in the field.

Come see us at 1919 12th Avenue in South Milwaukee!
🕙 Open 10 AM–3 PM on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

04/23/2026

RC Bucyrus 795B mining shovel model on display in the Bucyrus Museum.

04/23/2026

Matt Weyand operating his donated Bucyrus 795B mining shovel model at the Bucyrus Museum.

Scale Model Mining creator Matt Weyand and his wife Brooke stopped by the Bucyrus Museum operated by South Milwaukee Ind...
04/23/2026

Scale Model Mining creator Matt Weyand and his wife Brooke stopped by the Bucyrus Museum operated by South Milwaukee Industrial Museum this week to deliver something special - a scratch-built, radio-controlled 1:50 scale model of the Bucyrus International 795B Mining Shovel, generously donated to the museum.

Bucyrus introduced the 795B as a concept mining shovel in 2000. The design featured an impressive 135-ton-per-pass capacity, knee-action front-end geometry, dual-output planetary gears, and the largest hoist drum in the industry.

Although the concept was presented to customers for consideration, it ultimately had no takers, and none were ever built - making this model a rare glimpse into what could have been.

The Bucyrus Museum is truly honored to serve as the home for this one-of-a-kind piece. It will be on permanent display for the public to enjoy.

Come see us at 1919 12th Avenue in South Milwaukee. Our hours are 10am-3pm Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Hope to see you soon!

Have a Happy Easter. The Bucyrus Museum will be closed Saturday, April 4th. Regular business hours will resume Tuesday...
04/02/2026

Have a Happy Easter. The Bucyrus Museum will be closed Saturday, April 4th. Regular business hours will resume Tuesday, April 7th.

We were pleased to welcome South Milwaukee Fire Chief John Litchford and Battalion Chief Kurt Egner to the Bucyrus Museu...
03/12/2026

We were pleased to welcome South Milwaukee Fire Chief John Litchford and Battalion Chief Kurt Egner to the Bucyrus Museum. It was a pleasure spending time with them and enjoying a great conversation about the history of the South Milwaukee Fire Department.

We were also happy to present them with a professionally framed photo of the SMFD’s new, in 1958, American LaFrance Series 900 pumper truck, which the department will be able to display.

Thank you to Chief Litchford and Battalion Chief Egner for visiting and for their continued dedication to serving the South Milwaukee community.

🚧 New addition to the Bucyrus Museum! 🚧Check out this 1:20 scale model of a Dresser Marion M-5 blasthole drill. The Mari...
02/05/2026

🚧 New addition to the Bucyrus Museum! 🚧

Check out this 1:20 scale model of a Dresser Marion M-5 blasthole drill. The Marion M-5 was manufactured primarily from the late 1960s through the 1980s and was designed to drill blastholes up to 15 inches in diameter.

After Dresser Industries acquired Marion Power Shovel in 1977, the machine was rebranded and sold as the Dresser Marion M-5. Production continued into the 1980s, before Bucyrus International acquired Marion’s assets in 1997.

Come check us out at 1919 12th Avenue in South Milwaukee. Our hours are 10am-3pm Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Hope to see you soon!

Address

1919 12th Avenue
South Milwaukee, WI
53172

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 3pm
Thursday 10am - 3pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm

Telephone

+14146713850

Website

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