Auburndale in Polk County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

City's First Fire Engine

Chief James A. Hancock Jr. Building

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 24, 2014

1. City's First Fire Engine Marker

Inscription. This 1925 American LaFrance fire engine with its polished wooden bed and steering wheel, rare Italian tires and black leather seat was delivered to the City of Auburndale on June 23, 1925 via freight train. The City's first fire engine stayed in service until 1953. In the 1930's volunteer firefighter Nephi Darby gave the truck its nickname "Grandma" as he worked hard to keep it running and clean. The truck was restored in 1979 and was put on display in the Public Library on West Park Street. The truck was restored a second time after an arson fire in the library in 1982. In 1992, the truck was relocated alongside the Fire Station on Orange Street.

In 2001 the Fire Department moved to this location and the historic engine was moved into this building named in honor of Chief James A. Hancock, Jr. Chief Hancock worked for the City of Auburndale from 1951-1991 and served as Chief from February 20, 1956 until his retirement. He was named Outstanding Fire Chief in 1981 by the Florida Fire Chiefs' Association. His public service tenure remains one of the longest in the City's history.

Erected 2014 by City of Auburndale, Auburndale Historic Preservation Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical date for this entry is June 23, 1925.

Location.

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28° 4.056′ N, 81° 47.567′ W. Marker is in Auburndale, Florida, in Polk County. It is on Ariana Avenue north of Newbern Circle, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 125 Ariana Avenue, Auburndale FL 33823, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Florida.

It is also in the American South.

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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ephraim M. Baynard House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Seaboard Air Line Rail Depot (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Ephraim M. Baynard House (approx. ¼ mile away); Auburndale City Hall (approx. 0.3 miles away); "Flatiron" Triangle Building (approx. 0.3 miles away); Patterson Retail Building (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bayard Retail Building (approx. 0.3 miles away); September 11, 2001 Memorial (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Auburndale.

City's First Fire Engine image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 24, 2014

2. City's First Fire Engine

Marker is just to the right out of the picture.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 24, 2014

3. City's First Fire Engine

An additional marker for the fire engine is nearby on a wall. It reads:
“Grandma”
1925 American LaFrance
Auburdale’s First
Motorized Fire Engine

Credits. This page was last revised on April 12, 2018. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 852 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 20, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.