Going Local-Catawba County Firefighter Museum

This Saturday, we made a trip to the Catawba County Firefighters Museum,
located in nearby Conover.

This field trip was perfect for our family.
Big K is a former volunteer fire fighter
(back in the Ice Age),
and C collects fire alarms and smoke detectors.
It was wonderful to see them both in their element,
and able to share their knowledge with me.

The museum is open on Saturdays from 10-3 and Sundays from 1-4,
and is located at 3597 Herman Sipe Road in Conover, NC.
Tours can be scheduled at other times for groups.
They can be reached at 828-466-0911.
David Pruitt, a former firefighter himself, is the contact person
and was kind enough to show us around.

We always enjoy vintage vehicles,
and this collection of fire trucks is no exception.
An array of ravishing red rigs greeted us
as we entered the main display area.
The trucks are models from the 1930's and 1940's
and have been fully restored by volunteers.

Original equipment abounds, 
including these antique hose reels, as well as an assortment of nozzles, 
tools and radio equipment.

This classic sprinkler bell was used to alert workers 
that the fire sprinkler system had been activated in a commercial building.

Before hoses were commonly used, these types of fire buckets got the job done,
one bucket at a time.
The cone-shaped buckets would be dipped into rain barrels
and passed from one person to the next until the fire was out.
The shape would make it easier to lift back out of the rain barrel
and also retain more water in the vessel when being passed down the line.

Along with historical documents, artifacts like this foam fighting equipment
help visitors understand the complexity and importance 
of the fire department within the community.

These wooden extension ladders reached up to 36 feet tall.
Today's ladders are usually constructed of lightweight aluminum,
as wooden ladders would be subject to burning.

These pull stations caught C's eye.
He has quite a collection of them,
along with fire alarms, strobes and smoke detectors.
He has offered to contribute to the museum
when he finds something they don't yet have.

This massive siren would be found on the exterior of the fire station 
to alert firefighters and provide information about the call.

exterior

Here's a street box that used to be in front of a building.
These were often found on city streets
and were useful in helping firefighters find the exact location of a fire.

interior

Inside, the lever, once pulled, would trip the alarm
and send a code to the station,
so that they could identify the exact location.

the inner workings

(sorry for the blurriness)

This alarm box would be at the fire station
and would correspond to the street boxes.
In case of a fire, the alarm on the street box would be activated,
which would in turn alert the fire station,
using a designated code.

Here's a video that explains it better than I can.

A large collection of bunker gear, or turn-out gear, was on display.

A variety of flashlights, searchlights and spotlights were showcased.

A host of metal signs from various stations were featured as well.

Although the museum is free to the public,
there is a donation jar just inside the front entrance.
Visiting this valuable resource is yet another way
to honor those who give so much.
We'll definitely be back.

Other Posts in Our Going Local Series:
Vending Machine Museum
Grier Truck Museum
Memory Lane Museum