Southwest Portland in Multnomah County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

Fighting Fire With Steam Power

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 25, 2026

1. Fighting Fire With Steam Power Marker

Inscription.
This 1911 American LaFrance steam pumper could fill fire hoses with water at the rate of 600 gallons per minute.

End of an Era
Horse-drawn fire engines were state of the art in the 1880s. By 1920, gas powered engines, trucks, and cars had replaced horses and steam power.

You’re invited
For more about the steam pumper and Portland Fire & Rescue, visit our lobby exhibits during public hours. The entrance is around the corner to your left.

(Captions)
City of Portland Archives, A2001-083.
City of Portland Archives, A2002-007.

Erected by Portland Fire & Rescue Station 1.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.

Location. 45° 31.304′ N, 122° 40.235′ W. Marker has been reported damaged. Marker is in Portland, Oregon, in Multnomah County. It is in Southwest Portland. It is at the intersection of Southwest Ash Street and Southwest Naito Parkway, on the right when traveling south on Southwest Ash Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 55 SW Ash St, Portland OR 97204, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge

and in the Willamette Valley.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Ladd and Tilton Bank Interior (within shouting

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distance of this marker); Ankeny Arcade (within shouting distance of this marker); A Lewis and Clark Botanical Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The First Telephone Exchange in Portland (about 300 feet away); Benjamin Stark (about 400 feet away); Battleship Oregon Memorial Marine Park (about 400 feet away); Figurehead and Foremast of the Battleship Oregon (about 500 feet away); In Remembrance of the United States Battleship Oregon (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portland.

Another marker is no longer nearby. New Market Theatre (was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Historic Portland firefighting museum reopens (Portland Tribune, March 8, 2018).

The equipment can be seen through the museum’s large glass doors and windows. Another historic piece, a restored 1911 horse-drawn steam pump — is on display at the other end of the station along Northwest Naito Parkway.

(Submitted on August 24, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)

1911 American LaFrance Horse Drawn Steam Pumper image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 25, 2026

2. 1911 American LaFrance Horse Drawn Steam Pumper

The Steam Pumper can be seen through the window of Station 1. A sign placed there reads:
Purchased new by the City of Portland in 1911, retired from service in 1923. The pumper was lost for many years and then found in a storage.

From March 1981 to January 1984 the pumper was completely disassembled and totally restored to exact original condition with over 2000 hours of work; it is entirely functional. The striping and lettering are real gold leaf.

Restored by: Al Carocci • Frank Maas, Portland Fire Bureau E-6
Nickel Plating: Nick LeBeck, Rose City Plating
Upholstery: Ron Fritz, R&J Industrial Upholstery
Gold Leaf/Striping: Mitch Kim

Fire Station 1 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 25, 2026

3. Fire Station 1

Portland Fire & Rescue Station 1, with lobby exhibits. The marker can be seen in the distance of this photo, at the southern end of the station.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 24, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.