Linwood Fire Engine #1
Donation protected
Help Restore History!
The first Linwood Fire Department truck is back home and ready to share its unique history!
The Linwood Township and Fire Department are in the process of restoring the truck to its original glory and would appreciate any help you can offer.
This Go Fund Me effort is organized by the Linwood Fire Association, a 501 (c) (3). Please let us know if you would like a receipt for your taxes.
Unique History
The Minneapolis Fire Department Repair Shop ("MFD") assembled with Four-Wheel-Drive ("FWD") components built only eight fire trucks from 1929 to 1932. Linwood Township purchased the third truck manufactured in 1931 from the City of Minneapolis after the city retired it in the late 1950's. This was the first fire engine for the small rural township tucked in a heavily wooded area just north of Minneapolis.
Linwood Township used the truck until the early 1970's and sold it. The truck eventually ended up with a private party in Henderson, MN who was active in restoring and purchasing old fire trucks.
The private party was willing to sell it back to the Linwood Township under the agreement that it would remain in the Township for as long as it exists and remain in working condition so that it is enjoyed for generations to come. The Linwood Township and Linwood Fire Department happily agreed.
We are thrilled to have our first fire truck home again and excited to restore it to its original glory! Any financial help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
Some interesting facts about how the first, and only, eight trucks assembled by the MFD with parts supplied by the FWD company came to be. The Minneapolis Fire Department had a need for larger capacity pumps and investigated the best cost-effective means to get the trucks. In true Minnesota spirit, they decided they could assemble pumpers equal to or superior to those in the open market. MFD purchased components from FWD, the only company that could produce locally built parts per the bid requirement (except for the engines which were purchased in Waukesha, WI).
The depression hit halting future assemblies after the 8th truck. The trucks are referred to as the "FWD Trucks" and could navigate the roughest terrain and the worst snow drifts Minnesota could throw at it.
The FWD trucks take us back to a time of ingenuity and quality that could not be beat. The Linwood Township and the Linwood Fire Department is honored and humbled to have the chance to recapture that history and share it with all who are interested.
For additional pictures, please visit fire truck's own website at:
http://www.linwoodfire.com/the-original-engine-1.html
The first Linwood Fire Department truck is back home and ready to share its unique history!
The Linwood Township and Fire Department are in the process of restoring the truck to its original glory and would appreciate any help you can offer.
This Go Fund Me effort is organized by the Linwood Fire Association, a 501 (c) (3). Please let us know if you would like a receipt for your taxes.
Unique History
The Minneapolis Fire Department Repair Shop ("MFD") assembled with Four-Wheel-Drive ("FWD") components built only eight fire trucks from 1929 to 1932. Linwood Township purchased the third truck manufactured in 1931 from the City of Minneapolis after the city retired it in the late 1950's. This was the first fire engine for the small rural township tucked in a heavily wooded area just north of Minneapolis.
Linwood Township used the truck until the early 1970's and sold it. The truck eventually ended up with a private party in Henderson, MN who was active in restoring and purchasing old fire trucks.
The private party was willing to sell it back to the Linwood Township under the agreement that it would remain in the Township for as long as it exists and remain in working condition so that it is enjoyed for generations to come. The Linwood Township and Linwood Fire Department happily agreed.
We are thrilled to have our first fire truck home again and excited to restore it to its original glory! Any financial help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
Some interesting facts about how the first, and only, eight trucks assembled by the MFD with parts supplied by the FWD company came to be. The Minneapolis Fire Department had a need for larger capacity pumps and investigated the best cost-effective means to get the trucks. In true Minnesota spirit, they decided they could assemble pumpers equal to or superior to those in the open market. MFD purchased components from FWD, the only company that could produce locally built parts per the bid requirement (except for the engines which were purchased in Waukesha, WI).
The depression hit halting future assemblies after the 8th truck. The trucks are referred to as the "FWD Trucks" and could navigate the roughest terrain and the worst snow drifts Minnesota could throw at it.
The FWD trucks take us back to a time of ingenuity and quality that could not be beat. The Linwood Township and the Linwood Fire Department is honored and humbled to have the chance to recapture that history and share it with all who are interested.
For additional pictures, please visit fire truck's own website at:
http://www.linwoodfire.com/the-original-engine-1.html
Organizer and beneficiary
Michele Rosin McLane
Organizer
Stacy, MN
Michael Beebe
Beneficiary
