San Jose Fire Museum

Yesterday was an open house at the local fire department museum celebrating its 159th year of the city's fire department.
This 1914 fire aerial ladder truck was in service at the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition (world's fair) held in San Francisco to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal.

Do you fancy riding in this red 1929 REO Fire Chief's car?

Or, this white Fire Chief's car?
It is a 1905 Cadillac with an original price tag of $950.00 from Detroit. It was restored and has been part of the museum for 35 years. The sign says only 4,029 of these vehicles were made and very few remain today.

A new collection was unveiled at the open house.
Drum roll, please...

It is a restored 1914 Knox Chemical Hose Wagon.
From what I read, early fire departments used baking soda and acid (vinegar) together to form carbon dioxide gas to extinguish fires; thus, the term "chemical" hose.

Isn't this 1890 Amoskeag Steamer a beauty with the shiny copper/brass tank?
It was purchased for $4,345.00 in 1890, a lot of money back then, and used in the 1906 earthquake. The fire station collapsed, but the firemen dug out the engine and used it to fight fires for 2 straight days.

This miniaturized fire truck is more my size.
- Karen