LaBelle in Hendry County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
"Old Betsy"
Photographed By Dave W, March 11, 2023
1. "Old Betsy" Marker
The men and women of Labelle’s Volunteer Firefighters thoughtfully named this 1953 Ford fire truck "Old Betsy." "Old Betsy" was in service 1953-2006, housed in what is now the Firehouse Community Theatre. The late Jimmy Pendry, Fire Chief (1953), purchased the fire truck for the City of LaBelle along with a sister truck for the City of Clewiston. Harold Curtis, Fire Chief (1955 1994), transported the fire engine to the neighboring community of Alva to have the 1000-gallon water tank and hoses installed, "Old Betsy" saw many fires in her day and saved acres of LaBelle property. In 1995, the year that the LaBelle High School Cowboys football team competed in the state playoffs, "Old Betsy" made several appearances at the games. In 1999, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson rode on the truck in the annual Swamp Cabbage Festival parade. Her last appearance was in 2001 when she led the LaBelle High School's Home Court during the Homecoming parade. The LaBelle Downtown Revitalization Corporation Committee is grateful for the generosity of our donors who contributed to restoring a piece of history in downtown LaBelle:
Ramiro Rodriguez - Tim’s Towing & Recovery
Osvaldo Camacho - David Lyons
Jose Gomez - Synovus Bank
James Cochran - A Marines Tires & Road Service
Greg Bone - Firehouse Community Theatre
Heartland Registry
this page online
LaBelle Downtown Revitalization Corporation
Hendry County Board of County Commissioners
City of LaBelle
Erected by City of LaBelle.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Education • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.
Location. 26° 45.886′ N, 81° 26.235′ W. Marker is in LaBelle, Florida, in Hendry County. Marker is on Bridge Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 Bridge St, Labelle FL 33935, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. You Are Not Forgotten (approx. 0.2 miles away); Nicholas J Cutinha (approx. 0.2 miles away); Honor The Dead By Serving The Living (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dedicated to our Veterans (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Price of Freedom (approx. 0.2 miles away); All Gave Some .... Some Gave All (approx. 0.2 miles away); Downtown LaBelle Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Experimental Rotary Steam Engine (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in LaBelle.
Photographed By Dave W, March 11, 2023
2. "Old Betsy" Marker
Photographed By Dave W, March 11, 2023
3. "Old Betsy" Marker
Photographed By Dave W, March 11, 2023
4. "Old Betsy"
Photographed By Dave W, March 11, 2023
5. "Old Betsy"
Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 155 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 24, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
