Ridgecrest in Largo in Pinellas County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Fire Engine
Manufactured 1917
| | American La France Fire Engine Company, Inc. Elmira, New York | |
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, November 11, 2023
1. Fire Engine Marker
Frances
The American La France fire engine, nicknamed 'Frances', went into service at the Belleview Hotel in 1917. Imagine a hotel with its own fire truck! The self-sufficient hotel, one of the largest structures on the Pinellas Peninsula, had its own water system, police and fire protection. Frances was a sentinel protecting the extravagant wooden hotel until 1934. Capable of pumping 375 gallons of water per minute, this top-of-the-line truck carries a 30 foot extension ladder, searchlight, locomotive bell with clapper and an electric siren horn.
Saving Frances
The hotel gave Frances to the Town of Belleair in 1934 where she helped fight fires for 30 years. Several individuals and groups cared for Frances, but by 1979 a retired fire captain rescued her from a junkyard in Tarpon Springs and spent the next 7 years restoring her to original condition. She went home to the Town of Belleair for about 10 years before coming to Heritage Village.
Erected by Heritage Village.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.
Location. 27° 52.976′ N, 82° 48.667′ W.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast and on Tampa Bay. It is also in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Walsingham House (within shouting distance of this marker); Gandy Bridge Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); McMullen House (within shouting distance of this marker); H.C. Smith Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Lowe House (about 400 feet away,
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, November 11, 2023
2. Fire Engine Marker
Also see . . . Heritage Village. (Submitted on December 5, 2023, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, November 11, 2023
3. Frances
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, November 11, 2023
4. Belleview Hotel in 1919, home to 'Frances' the La France fire engine until 1934.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2023, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 124 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 5, 2023, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.
