Cornerstones on the front of the building read 1950 and 1999. A recreational area in the back of the station includes a pool table and trophy cases. Inside the apparatus bay, the horse-drawn equipment of the early 1900s has long since given way to some of the most modern fire engines available. Eleven years later, the fire company purchased a pumper and a ladder truck. The truck last saw regular service in 1973 but still works.
Firefighters test the pump a few times each year to keep the leather gaskets from drying out.
The factory said the truck could handle about 1,000 gallons of water per minute, but firefighters found that number was closer to 1,300 gallons. Morgan said he's glad the fire department kept the old truck. Many times, outdated fire equipment is not maintained or is sold, with fire departments only later realizing they should have kept them as antique showpieces. But if push comes to shove, we could put it in service. It's just a classic.