FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1928 Prospect Fire Engine still occupies space at the new Chardon Fire
Station
By FF Robert Painter
On
June 29, 1928, the Chardon Firemen launched a fund-raising drive to raise $7000
for a new piece of fire apparatus; a 1928 Prospect Type "B" Model
"MS Deluge" Master Fire Fighter Engine. By mid-August of that
year, over $4,500 had been raised and the response by local businesses and
citizens was considered very liberal. In September 1928, the new fire
truck was ordered from Master Fire Fighter Company of Prospect, Ohio. The
specifications called for a 500-gallon a minute pumper. At that
time, the firemen hosted a three day carnival to raise additional money for fire
coats and boots.
On November 7, 1928 Chief Oxenrider moved away,
leaving the Chardon FD Chief position vacant. Warner Cook was elected to
succeed him. On December 4, 1928, the new fire truck was delivered and
pumped water onto the court house steeple. This purchase was accomplished
through the efforts of C.L. Rickard, Warner Cook, and Frank Zethmayr.
Through
the years, the truck saw many blazes, and because it was one of only a few fire
engines available in the area, it was called upon to put our fires throughout
Lake, Geauga, and Ashtabula County. The last fire the Prospect saw was the
Spear Barn Fire in 1965. It was retired and used for parades until
mechanical trouble sidelined the old apparatus... until 1984.
In
the spring of 1984, the truck was readied for restoration. The restoration
was done by Fred Kohler of Austinburg, Ohio in Ashtabula County for the sum of
$5,700. Today the truck pumps over 400-gallons per minute, and is used for
special duty, parades, and other special events.
Post-note:
Information for this article came from the "Pioneer and General History of
Geauga County", published in 1953. Contributors include Bert Barnum
and Bob Painter.
You can e-mail me for more information by
clicking on the link below:
FF
Robert Painter - Prospect Fire Truck
For More Information Contact:
Chardon Fire Department
110 S. Hambden St. Chardon, OH 44024
Tel: 440-285-4665
FAX: 440-285-8320
Internet: Capt. John Blauch, Webmaster
