Locally invented, grasshopper plow changed plains ag

Homesteader in Phillips built hundreds for others

  • George Levee
    George Levee
  • This original grasshopper plow, created by George Levee, can be found at the Plainsman Museum in Aurora. News-Register/Cheyenne Rowe
    This original grasshopper plow, created by George Levee, can be found at the Plainsman Museum in Aurora. News-Register/Cheyenne Rowe
  • George Levee manufactured hundreds of grasshopper plows in this very shop, located on his homestead in the Deepwell Precinct near Phillips. Photo courtesy of the Plainsman Museum
    George Levee manufactured hundreds of grasshopper plows in this very shop, located on his homestead in the Deepwell Precinct near Phillips. Photo courtesy of the Plainsman Museum
  • This family photo of the Levees is also on file at the Plainsman Museum. The family includes, front row, from left: George Levee, Abbie Levee Ummel (daughter) and Mrs. George Levee. Back row, from left: Mary Schultz Levee (daughter) and Lamont Levee (son). Photo courtesy of the Plainsman Museum
    This family photo of the Levees is also on file at the Plainsman Museum. The family includes, front row, from left: George Levee, Abbie Levee Ummel (daughter) and Mrs. George Levee. Back row, from left: Mary Schultz Levee (daughter) and Lamont Levee (son). Photo courtesy of the Plainsman Museum

    Nestled alongside the Plainsman Museum’s full-size sod house is a rather unassuming and somewhat complicated looking piece of pioneer machinery.

    Little to most know that this “grasshopper plow” was invented right here in Hamilton County by a gentleman named George L. Levee and ultimately revolutionized farming in the Great Plains.

    “Most of our early pioneers were men of resource and inventive genius…