‘It’s great to have a piece of our history back’: Manitoba fire department reacquires original 1948 fire truck

A firetruck that first rolled into Stonewall more than 75 years ago could once again drive through the town.

A new year may be on the horizon, but it’s a relic from the past that is making a big splash right now in the Town of Stonewall.

The Stonewall-Rockwood Fire Fighter’s Association has reacquired the town’s first-ever fire engine.

The Diamond T truck dates back to 1939 and was turned into a firefighting apparatus in 1947. It was originally purchased by Stonewall in 1948 for $5,900.

The distinctive-looking fire truck served the community until the early 1980s, when it was sold.

This past fall though, the Stonewall-Rockwood Fire Fighter’s Association got wind that the beloved engine was still in existence.

“We were told that it was sitting in Petersfield, Man., by a local collector who wasn’t doing much with the truck,” said Kevin Boughton, a trainer with the Stonewall-Rockwood Fire Department. “When we approached him, he offered to sell it back to us. After speaking with our firefighters, it was a unanimous decision that we thought it’d be a unique piece of history for the fire department, and we would purchase the truck and bring it back to the town of Stonewall.”

The collector had purchased the fire truck in the early 90’s and agreed to sell it for the same price he acquired it for: $7,500.

“The condition is amazing,” explained Boughton. “It sits as an original apparatus and truck as it left the hall in the early 1980s. It needs some work on the engine but very little body work, and we looked at it as a unique piece that needed very little restoration.”

The engine also has a surprisingly modern feature.

“So the truck itself has one feature that’s called pump and roll, where you can pump water as the apparatus is moving, and even today, some modern fire trucks don’t have that ability. So a feature like that back in 1948 was definitely cutting edge,” Boughton noted.

Fire Chief Darrell Humeniuk said the community’s response to the vintage engine has been wonderful, and he’s thrilled to have it home.

“It’s a fantastic thing. This is great for the community. It’s great to have a piece of our history back.”

Right now the fire truck is in a storage facility for the winter, where it can be worked on. While there is no intention to use the engine for any type of firefighting capabilities, the association is hoping to get it out on the road by next summer.

“We’re looking to get the motor operational and get the truck going so it’s roadworthy. We hope to have it ready for the annual Quarry Days Parade and then have it on display at various times throughout the year,” Boughton said.