This was known as Marysville Fire Station #2, which was located off Huron Boulevard where the Chrysler Corporation property is today. In 1924, the City erected it’s own fire station. The fire engine was kept in a rear garage behind the Land Company.ĭuring Prohibition Days, it has been said that confiscated alcohol was used in the radiator because it was the closest thing they had to antifreeze. The “James House #6”, better known as the Marysville Land Company office, was where the makeshift fire station was located (east of the Detroit Urban Railroad Track on Huron Boulevard). Marysville’s first Fire Chief was Mark Harrington who earned $160 per month and also was supplied with living quarters. The truck was purchased for $9,250 from the American LaFrance Engine Company of Elmira, New York.
The first fire engine was an American LaFrance complete with hard rubber tires on wooden spoked wheels. The Fire Department, established in 1919, did not receive a motorized fire truck until April 13, 1920. On March 13, 1924, Marysville became a city with a council, manager, and home rule form of government. Prior to this date, Marysville was known as “Vicksburg”. The Village of Marysville was incorporated December 12, 1919. If it had wheels and it was a truck, odds are that Ward LaFrance built it at one time or another.Marysville has come a long way since the first days of the logging industry and say mills to the Will-Saint Clair automotive era. Its distinctive name plate could soon be found on an array of diverse vehicles such as tank wreckers for the military, vans for UPS, over the road tractors, cement trucks, dump trucks, chassis for buses and trolleys, and even an armored car or two. With manufacturing facilities located in his hometown of Elmira Heights, New York, the Ward LaFrance TruckCompany established a reputation for innovation and quality. caused confusion even back then.Īt a meeting with American LaFrance’s company officials, it was suggested that Addison Ward LaFrance rename his company the “Ward LaFrance Truck Company.” He did so, and the rest is history. The success of the dealership led to the formation of a truck manufacturer which he named the “LaFrance Truck Manufacturing Company.” The similarity in name with the flourishing American LaFrance Fire Engine Co. Obviously, the spring raising ladder worked and Addison Ward LaFrance was rewarded with a car dealership. He as assigned the projectof developing aspring raising aerial with the added incentive that if it worked, his father would buy him a car agency (now known as car dealerships). In his early years Addison worked as an engineer for his father and uncle at American LaFrance. Ward LaFrance is named after its founder, Addison Ward LaFrance. The windshield and cowl pictured were added by the fire department sometime after delivery. Originally powered by a Continental straight 8-cylinder gasoline motor and featured a Northern model 34BY rotary gear 650 gpm pump and 250 gallon booster tank. Restoration began in early 2019 and is nearing completion. It later was sold to a member of the Jersey City Fire Department for personal use and lastly acquired by WLF owner John Burzichelli in non-operating condition in December of 2018. From there it went to Jersey City NJ Fire Department for use in parades and funerals. This Ward spent its entire active fire service life with the Ocean Gate Volunteer Fire Department #1 in New Jersey. The WLF front end style changed in early 1934. In total only 21 of this style WLF were manufactured between 1930 to late 1933. This style front end was offered by WLF from 1930 to late 1933. Ward Lafrance entered the custom fire truck manufacturing business in earnest with this triple combination model pumper in April of 1930.
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