Utah's firefighters don't usually get much credit for their fearless life- and property-saving efforts. However, the Daughters of Utah Pioneers have been working to change that. They plan to open some historic firefighting exhibits early next year at their Pioneer Museum at 300 N. Main.
Centerpiece of the displays will be "Rosie," a 97-year-old steam fire engine that has undergone a complete restoration and now looks as shiny and new as it did in 1902 when it was delivered to Salt Lake City.Even all the original gold leafing has been restored.
With more than 22,000 working parts to restore, this project was not easy, and it cost $125,000, much of which was raised by the DUP. (The engine cost just $8,900 in 1902.)
It may seem a little unusual that the DUP would be so interested in a turn-of-the-century fire engine, but Colette Liddell, spokeswoman for the DUP, said it really isn't.
"Firemen are a very important part of history," she said, explaining that fires were very scary in pioneer times. They usually meant the loss of an entire building or structure.
Liddell said a main goal of the DUP is to protect and preserve history, and the restored fire engine is a part of that effort. The DUP also has produced a 32-page historical pamphlet on "Fire Departments of Utah," to help keep the early history of Utah firefighting alive.
She also said the engine, which was drawn by three horses, is significant because while Salt Lake City has some old pump-type fire engines preserved, this is the only steam fire engine that's in good condition.
Edith Menna, director of the Pioneer Museum, agrees.
"Utah hasn't done much to recognize firemen," she said.
On Jan. 22, the DUP will dedicate its new firefighter exhibits, which include Rosie, old uniforms and some other items.
"The dedication will honor all of the firemen in Utah history," Liddell said.
Exact time of the dedication hasn't been set, but the museum plans to keep the museum open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. after the dedicationfor the public's convenience.
Many fire engines of the day were named for U.S. presidents. Rosie was named after Theodore Roosevelt, who was president when the engine went into service.
Rosie was used by Salt Lake City until 1919, when Salt Lake City's fire station was located between State and Main streets at 100 South. It was displayed in Liberty Park for many years, but vandals stole many important components. The engine was narrowly saved from the world wars' metal salvaging efforts and was partially restored by the Tooele Army Depot Fire Department in 1958.
Still, the elements and outdoor storage took its toll, and Rosie looked its age in 1972 when the engine was placed in the new carriage house wing of the Pioneer Museum. In fact, the museum wing was built around the engine, and it could only be removed in pieces and with great effort.
The engine is in working condition.
Several years ago it was brought to life in Salem, Utah County, to draw water from a pond for its three hoses, which can pump a total of 1,000 gallons per minute.
The engine went on the road for Utah's Centennial and visited many Utah cities and schools from 1996-97.
"It belches black smoke," Menna said, explaining Rosie's pump is coal-powered.
In fact, she said, when the fire department used the 10,800-pound engine, firefighters used to add red-hot coals right into Rosie to respond quickly to fires.
The past two years, Rosie has been stored at Bountiful Fire Station No. 1, thanks to Fire Chief Jerry Lemon, who also helped with its restoration.
The last part of the museum's restoration is to add some doors behind the Rosie display that resemble the front of Salt Lake's 1902 fire station.