Mount Airy Fire Department 1976 photograph
Item
Description
Mount Airy's first firetruck, 1917 American LaFrance, in a Charlotte junkyard.
In 1976, the Town of Mount Airy received a letter from a Charlotte gentleman, stating he had an American-LaFrance, Serial No. 1857, fire truck that had been purchased by the town in 1917. He had several offers from museums and antique dealers but preferred to keep the vehicle in its home surroundings and was hoping to find a responsible party in Mount Airy that would buy it.
The city responded that it was interested in bringing the truck home and getting it refurbished. Municipal funds could not be used to purchase the fire truck, so the Mount Airy Jaycees raised $1,000 for the purchase. It was 1976, and Bicentennial fever was sweeping America.
Fire Department personnel and volunteer firemen spent endless hours preparing the body for restoration. Specialized interior work was done by the local businesses that contributed their services. Then came the job of getting the engine running. There was great jubilation when the mechanical skills of city personnel produced the sound of the motor, hitting on all cylinders.
The city responded that it was interested in bringing the truck home and getting it refurbished. Municipal funds could not be used to purchase the fire truck, so the Mount Airy Jaycees raised $1,000 for the purchase. It was 1976, and Bicentennial fever was sweeping America.
Fire Department personnel and volunteer firemen spent endless hours preparing the body for restoration. Specialized interior work was done by the local businesses that contributed their services. Then came the job of getting the engine running. There was great jubilation when the mechanical skills of city personnel produced the sound of the motor, hitting on all cylinders.
Creator
Date
1976
Format
Type
photograph
Identifier
Mta_MAFD_i3011.001_mam
Coverage
Rights
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/