Boca Raton Fire Engine No. 1
Boca Raton Fire Engine No. 1, also known as 'Old Betsy,' is a 1925 fire engine housed at Fire Station 3 on South Ocean Boulevard near East Palmetto Park Road. The vehicle is a Type 75 Triple Combination model with a six-cylinder engine producing around 105 horsepower and a pump capable of moving up to 750 gallons of water per minute.
Boca Raton's fire department was established in 1925 with Guy Bender as the first fire chief, and 'Old Betsy' was purchased a year later from a New York manufacturer. The engine served the city for decades before being retired from active firefighting duty while remaining an important historical record of the era.
The engine earned the nickname 'Old Betsy' after the first paid firefighter, John F. Loughery, who painted it white to match his hair color. It remains a symbol of the town's origins and the firefighting tradition that shaped the community's identity.
The engine can be viewed outside or inside Fire Station 3 during the day, located on South Ocean Boulevard close to East Palmetto Park Road. The site offers small displays inside that explain early firefighting methods and equipment, making it easy for visitors to learn about the station's history.
The engine can be started using a magneto or battery, with a hand crank on the front as a backup method. These multiple starting systems reflect the practical ingenuity of early firefighting and show how crews had to be prepared with different ways to get the truck running.
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