The Journey of a 1920 American LaFrance Fire Truck
Recall from my article last week that a 1920 American LaFrance Type 75 Foamite, Triple Combination (Chemical, Hose, Pumper) fire truck had been purchased in 1920 and delivered to the City of Salisbury, NC in August of 1920. It was purchased for $8500. The truck and equipment (no water) weighed 9300 lbs., was 19’9’’ in length, 6’5” in width, and 7’0’ in height. The steering wheel mechanism was on the right side. Interesting was the fact that the wheels had wooden spoke (fellows) type and wooden rims. The pump rating was 300 gallons per minute at capacity setting and 500 gallons per minute at pressure setting. This little Red#2 colored fire truck was the first motorized pumper owned by the city of Salisbury.
In 1954, it would be driven 134 miles to Coats NC to be recorded as its second owner. The fire truck would shortly thereafter make the news in the September 22, 1954, edition of the Daily Record.
The paper reported that after Lillington failed to answer the call, so an alarm was sent to Coats, a newly organized fire department, and some 20 men jumped on the truck and headed toward Campbell College to fight a fire at the home of the former Coats principal T.T. Lanier. Some damage was done on the upper story, and some smoke and water damage occurred, but the fire department saved the beautiful house. The paper recorded that the Coats Fire Department was headed by Chief Haywood Roberts and was assisted by civic-minded Coats citizens. Did you find it interesting that 20 men could travel on a 19’9’’ fire truck?
Surely every former owner has a story to share but let’s read the story of the final owner of the 1920 American LaFrance fire truck. The story is that Paul Brown tried unsuccessfully for two years to purchase the fire truck from owner #9 Frank Ensley but finally in January 1996, Paul was successful with the assistance of Frank Gibson, a salesman for W.A. Brown & Son., Inc. Paul Brown had asked Gibson to stop by and see Ensley while in Knoxville. While meeting at the restaurant, a call was made to Paul Brown by Gibson, and a deal was made for the purchase of the fire truck for $2,200.00 from Ensley. Hence, we have the 10th and final owners Paul and Edward Brown.
Recall that the parts of the fire truck were scattered around Ensley’s property. The parts that could be located were loaded into a 16’ box truck, a pickup with a 16’ trailer and a Suburban and driven back to Salisbury where the men laid out the numerous parts, down to nuts and bolts which had been secured in five-gallon buckets, to identify potential locations for use and missing items.
The journey began for the truck to be restored to the original design as it was delivered to the city of Salisbury in 1920. The windshield was not installed, the bed was moved back forward 20”, the chemical system installed in 1940 was removed, and the original engine was reconditioned. All parts were sandblasted, stripped to bare metal, primed, and then coated with a fresh coat of paint. Parts began to be reassembled, and components were made/created or purchased as needed, stated Paul Brown.
Thanks to the leadership of Gene Kepley and efforts by Myron Bost, Wayne Myers and others, the 1920 American LaFrance Salisbury truck #1 had a homecoming to the City of Salisbury during the November 1996 Annual Christmas Parade.
The men and women who work at the fire and rescue departments throughout the state are to be commended for their dedication to saving lives and properties. Keith McLeod, who worked locally and statewide to improve fire safety, just happened to drop by the museum this past Thursday seeking a copy of a cookbook printed after 1985 by the Coats Fire Department.
Hats off to folks such as Paul and Edward Brown and Keith Mcleod for preserving some of our history.
Recall from my article last week that a 1920 American LaFrance Type 75 Foamite, Triple Combination (Chemical, Hose, Pumper) fire truck had been purchased in 1920 and delivered to the City of Salisbury, NC in August of 1920. It was purchased for $8500. The truck and equipment (no water) weighed 9300 lbs., was 19’9’’ in length, 6’5” in width, and 7’0’ in height. The steering wheel mechanism was on the right side. Interesting was the fact that the wheels had wooden spoke (fellows) type and wooden rims. The pump rating was 300 gallons per minute at capacity setting and 500 gallons per minute at pressure setting. This little Red#2 colored fire truck was the first motorized pumper owned by the city of Salisbury.
In 1954, it would be driven 134 miles to Coats NC to be recorded as its second owner. The fire truck would shortly thereafter make the news in the September 22, 1954, edition of the Daily Record.
The paper reported that after Lillington failed to answer the call, so an alarm was sent to Coats, a newly organized fire department, and some 20 men jumped on the truck and headed toward Campbell College to fight a fire at the home of the former Coats principal T.T. Lanier. Some damage was done on the upper story, and some smoke and water damage occurred, but the fire department saved the beautiful house. The paper recorded that the Coats Fire Department was headed by Chief Haywood Roberts and was assisted by civic-minded Coats citizens. Did you find it interesting that 20 men could travel on a 19’9’’ fire truck?
Surely every former owner has a story to share but let’s read the story of the final owner of the 1920 American LaFrance fire truck. The story is that Paul Brown tried unsuccessfully for two years to purchase the fire truck from owner #9 Frank Ensley but finally in January 1996, Paul was successful with the assistance of Frank Gibson, a salesman for W.A. Brown & Son., Inc. Paul Brown had asked Gibson to stop by and see Ensley while in Knoxville. While meeting at the restaurant, a call was made to Paul Brown by Gibson, and a deal was made for the purchase of the fire truck for $2,200.00 from Ensley. Hence, we have the 10th and final owners Paul and Edward Brown.
Recall that the parts of the fire truck were scattered around Ensley’s property. The parts that could be located were loaded into a 16’ box truck, a pickup with a 16’ trailer and a Suburban and driven back to Salisbury where the men laid out the numerous parts, down to nuts and bolts which had been secured in five-gallon buckets, to identify potential locations for use and missing items.
The journey began for the truck to be restored to the original design as it was delivered to the city of Salisbury in 1920. The windshield was not installed, the bed was moved back forward 20”, the chemical system installed in 1940 was removed, and the original engine was reconditioned. All parts were sandblasted, stripped to bare metal, primed, and then coated with a fresh coat of paint. Parts began to be reassembled, and components were made/created or purchased as needed, stated Paul Brown.
Thanks to the leadership of Gene Kepley and efforts by Myron Bost, Wayne Myers and others, the 1920 American LaFrance Salisbury truck #1 had a homecoming to the City of Salisbury during the November 1996 Annual Christmas Parade.
The men and women who work at the fire and rescue departments throughout the state are to be commended for their dedication to saving lives and properties. Keith McLeod, who worked locally and statewide to improve fire safety, just happened to drop by the museum this past Thursday seeking a copy of a cookbook printed after 1985 by the Coats Fire Department.
Hats off to folks such as Paul and Edward Brown and Keith Mcleod for preserving some of our history.