1949 Ward La France Fire Engine “Rosie” -- Engine 734

This rig was purchased new from the Ward La France Truck Company, Elmira, New York in June 1949 by the newly formed city of Roseville, MN Fire Department as their very first pumper, and the City’s second truck.  Their first rig was a Ward La France tank truck from two years prior.  Rosie was fully outfitted and completed by the Flour City Body Company in Minneapolis to the specifications of the Roseville FD in June 1949.

 

"Rosie" in the Park

 

Since the City was newly formed and didn't have a fire station built, Rosie was housed at the local hardware store garage until the Station was completed later that year.

 

Rosie saw first line service from 1949 to 1979.  She was then placed into second response service from 1979 to 1989.  From 1990 to 2003, she was placed on “parade” status and was used for parades, city functions, fire musters, and other public events.  In 2003 and 2004 she was used sparingly and was moved from location to location within the city garages/shops and finally ended up outside Number 2 Fire Station covered with a tarp, while her fate was being decided.

 

In 2004 it was decided to put her up for sale as surplus inventory.  Rosie was purchased and brought to Eau Claire, Wisconsin by a collector.

 

Rosie has a 517 cubic inch displacement, flathead 6 cylinder SRKR Waukesha Motor, bore 4-5/8”, stroke 5-1/8”, producing about 125 hp and coupled with a 4 speed transmission.  The motor has a dual ignition system operated by the battery or the magneto; hence the two spark plugs per cylinder.  About 22,000 of these motors were made from 1939 to 1958.  The motor is also equipped with a hand crank, but no one in their right mind would attempt this fate!