12322

Hopchas, Lou

\"Old No. 1,\" an American LaFrance steamer built in 1878, was the first piece of fire-fighting equipment purchased by the City of Rocky Mount. The town bought it in 1893 after a devastating fire that almost destroyed the town. Two horses pulled the steamer. The time required to get it operating was approximately thirty minutes. In spite of the activation time, the steamer was crucial in saving many town properties.

The State (NoCar F 251 S77), Vol. 41 Issue 6, Nov 1973, p16, 42, il Periodical Website

Rocky Mount--Fires and fire prevention; Fire engines--Rocky Mount--History

14176

Rights, Douglas L.

Brought from Europe in 1785, the State's oldest fire engine served the town of Salem for many years in the protection of its property. It is now in the Wachovia Museum.

The State (NoCar F 251 S77), Vol. 17 Issue 35, Jan 1950, p6-7, f Periodical Website

Fire engines--Rocky Mount--History