Murray-Corliss Steam Engine Project
The Belmond Area Arts Council is preserving a powerful piece of Iowa history—the 150-ton Murray-Corliss steam engine built in 1939 by Murray Iron Works of Burlington. Once responsible for generating electricity at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison, this 1,000-horsepower engine stands as one of the largest ever built in the state. Now being relocated and reassembled near Belmond, the engine will serve as a living monument to Iowa’s industrial innovation, craftsmanship, and enduring spirit.
The Project: Move, Restore, Interpret
Large stationary steam engines powered America’s factories, utilities, and public institutions. Few survive. Fewer still with a clear, continuous Iowa story. This engine:
- Demonstrates Corliss valve efficiency and classic American heavy engineering.
- Showcases the ingenuity of Murray Iron Works, a major Iowa builder.
- Connects visitors to energy history, engineering, and the arts of restoration.
By situating the engine in Belmond, we create a living classroom for students, families, makers, and history lovers across the state. This engine was built in Iowa, used in Iowa, and will remain in Iowa as a landmark of power and possibility. Help us move, assemble, and interpret this giant for every visitor who wonders how our world was powered.
Murray-Corliss Steam Engine Fast Facts
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Type: Murray-Corliss steam engine
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Power: 1,000 HP engine driving a 750 kW alternator (480V, 3-phase)
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Year Built: 1939
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Manufacturer: Murray Iron Works, Burlington, IA
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Original Service: Iowa State Penitentiary, Fort Madison, IA
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Weight: Approximately 150 tons
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Rarity: Among the largest engines Murray Iron Works produced
- Iowa Provenance: Built, operated, and now preserved entirely within Iowa
The Engine’s Journey
1939–Early 1950s: Installed at the Iowa State Penitentiary to generate on-site electricity; later retained as a backup power source.
1982–1983: Offered by the State of Iowa; acquired by the Central Hawkeye Gas Engine Club in 1983 for $1.
1999: First public startup at the Club’s show.
Recent Years: The original show dissolved, and its grounds were sold.
Today: The Belmond Area Arts Council has secured the engine and is moving it to new show grounds outside Belmond for long-term interpretation and public demonstrations (as feasible and safe).